Why is the U.S. striking boats off the coast of South America?

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed U.S strikes on four more boats in waters near South America. The attacks happened Monday off the coast of Colombia in the eastern Pacific Ocean. 

Hegseth claimed without citing evidence, “the four vessels were known by our intelligence apparatus, transiting along known narco-trafficking routes, and carrying narcotics.” 

Including this week’s, the strikes have killed nearly 60 people. Democrats say the President is using the military to carry out extrajudicial killings.

We get the latest on why these strikes are happening. 

Guest

Joshua Keating, senior correspondent covering foreign policy and world news, Vox

Related Links

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A Timeline of Trump’s Strikes on Vessels He Says Are Smuggling Drugs - The New York Times

The Real Target of Trump’s War on Drug Boats - The New Yorker

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