The armed forces carried out a new attack against a vessel allegedly linked to drug trafficking in international waters, leaving one person dead and two survivors, reported the US Southern Command (Southcom).

The operation was announced through the social network

According to the official statement, the attack was authorized by Southcom commander General Francis Donovan, who ordered “lethal kinetic action” against a vessel allegedly operated by “designated terrorist organizations.”

Although they do not present evidence, the supposed “intelligence analysis” confirmed that the ship was transiting alleged known drug trafficking routes in the Eastern Pacific and was apparently involved in drug trafficking operations,” according to the Southern Command in its message.

The US authorities assured that one of the occupants died during the operation, while two others survived. After the confrontation, the United States Coast Guard activated a search and rescue protocol to care for survivors, the military institution added.

So far, Washington has not revealed the identity of the people involved or presented public evidence about the ship's alleged ties to criminal organizations.

A military campaign under question

The “Lanza del Sur” operation has been the subject of controversy since its inception due to the high number of victims recorded in maritime operations led by the United States in the region.

According to figures released by Southcom itself and reports from international agencies, the campaign has accumulated more than 60 attacks in waters near Venezuela and Colombia, with at least 186 people dead. With the most recent incident, media and organizations critical of the US strategy assure that the number would already exceed 190 deaths.

The offensive is part of the expansion of United States security operations in Latin America and the Caribbean, a region that Washington considers strategic for combating drug trafficking and other illicit transnational activities.