A U.S. military operation in the Caribbean Sea resulted in the deaths of four individuals aboard a suspected drug smuggling vessel. The U.S. Southern Command released footage of the incident, showing a boat and a flash of light, though independent verification is lacking. Officials state the operation aims to combat cartel violence extending into the American mainland. No evidence has been presented to confirm the presence of drugs on the vessel. This attack follows a similar incident in the Pacific Ocean two days prior, and is the first targeting alleged drug boats in two months. Since the start of these operations nearly a year ago under the Trump administration, the U.S. military has conducted 68 such attacks, resulting in at least 227 fatalities.