The U.S. military’s Southcom command reported four fatalities following a recent boat strike in the Caribbean on Sunday. According to the U.S. military, the targeted vessel was involved in narcotics trafficking. This incident adds to a year-long pattern of such engagements, with over 230 people reported killed in similar operations against boats the U.S. identifies as smuggling vessels. These actions by the U.S. have drawn considerable criticism internationally. Critics have specifically denounced the strikes as extrajudicial executions, raising concerns about the legality and ethics of the operations in the Caribbean. The U.S. continues to defend its actions as necessary to combat drug smuggling.