The US military has launched new deadly strikes on boats it claims were involved in drug trafficking, escalating an aggressive campaign in international waters as tensions with Venezuela remain high.
US Southern Command said on Wednesday it struck five alleged drug-smuggling vessels over two days, killing eight people.
The command did not disclose the exact locations of the strikes carried out on Tuesday and Wednesday. Previous attacks have taken place in the Caribbean Sea and the eastern Pacific Ocean.
According to Southern Command, three boats were targeted on Tuesday while traveling together along what it described as known narcotics routes. It released a video showing the boats moving in close formation before explosions hit them.
The US has not provided independently verified evidence to support its claims. The authenticity and context of the video have not been independently verified.
The command said three people were killed when the first vessel was struck. Those aboard the other two boats jumped into the water before follow-up strikes sank the vessel. Southern Command claimed it had notified the Coast Guard to activate search and rescue operations, but it remains unclear whether any survivors were recovered.
Hours later, the military announced strikes on two more vessels on Wednesday, killing five additional people.
Since September, the US military has carried out more than 30 such strikes, with a reported death toll of at least 115.