Trump admin expands its war on "narco-terrorists" to eastern Pacific

The U.S. announced it killed five purported "narco-terrorists" in two strikes on vessels in the eastern Pacific, marking an expansion of the Pentagon's shadowy military campaign.The big picture: The Trump administration has now disclosed killing more than three dozen people across nine known strikes. The latest are the first the administration has acknowledged outside of the Caribbean.Several lawmakers have raised concern over the lack of transparency surrounding the strikes, which Democrats have blasted as illegal. Sen. Todd Young (R-Ind.) told Axios' Stef Kight Wednesday that "Congress isn't hearing enough" about the strikes, "in any form, including a public forum."Driving the news: Sec. of Defense Pete Hegseth announced the first of the two strikes early Wednesday afternoon, saying the vessel was hit Tuesday while "transiting along a known narco-trafficking transit route, and carrying narcotics."Hegseth said two "narco-terrorists" were killed in his post, which was accompanied by video of a boat going up in flames.He provided no further information about the location of the strike.Later Wednesday, he announced the U.S. had killed three more "terrorists" who he said were "engaged in narco-trafficking in the Eastern Pacific."What they're saying: Colombian President Gustavo Petro said in a Wednesday post that "the U.S. government's strategy breaks the norms of international law," per a translation.He called the U.S. strikes "murder."Petro has been outspoken against the strikes he says have killed Colombian citizens. He accused the U.S. of killing a "lifelong fisherman" in a September strike.Trump retaliated after Petro's comments by announcing the U.S. would slash aid to Colombia and levy new tariffs on the country.Catch up quick: The Trump administration has amassed warships, spy planes, U.S. Marines and more off the coast of Venezuela, as speculation swirls that the administration is weighing regime change there.Trump said earlier this month that he authorized the CIA to conduct covert operations in Venezuela.A day later, Navy Adm. Alvin Holsey, who oversees military operations across Central and South America and in the Caribbean Sea, announced he would retire from the Navy after decades of service without mentioning the strikes. What we're watching: Trump on Wednesday said that "they will be hit on land also," adding his administration would "probably go back to Congress and explain exactly what we are doing" before launching any land strikes.But, he added, "We don't have to do that."Go deeper: Senate rejects effort to curb Trump's power to target alleged drug boats

Comments

World news

Some furloughed workers will return to manage health insurance open enrollment as shutdown drags on

Global News

If Trump’s East Wing demolition shocks you, check out what he did to priceless works meant for the Metropolitan Museum of Art

about 3 hours ago

Independent

Photos reveal shocking destruction of East Wing as crews work to make way for Trump’s ballroom

about 3 hours ago

Independent

‘Quarterbacks,’ ‘face cards’ and spy tech: How the Mafia allegedly teamed up with NBA stars to rip off high-stakes poker games

about 3 hours ago

Musk's rollercoaster year: From boycotts and plunging earnings to a potential trillion-dollar payday

Independent

Comments

Similar News

Trump says Australia will get the Aukus submarines – but the decision won’t be his to make

Donors for Trump’s $300m White House ballroom include Google, Apple and Palantir

New book details infighting behind Trump’s ‘obviously unqualified’ cabinet picks

More than 30 people killed by US strikes on ‘narco’ boats, as Trump launches first attacks in Pacific waters

‘MAGA math’: Dr Oz jumps through hoops – and changes the laws of math – to explain Trump claims about lowering drug prices

Trump claims he single-handedly ‘stopped’ Netanyahu in Gaza

Ukraine pounds Putin oil refinery with drones hours after Trump imposed sanctions on Moscow's oil giants - as Russia faces power blackouts and queues for petrol

Frustration grows over Trump bailout of Argentina

Frontrunner suffers blow in race to be UK ambassador to US over criticisms of Trump

Can Trump stop India from buying Russian oil?

Kai Trump’s latest Instagram post sheds new light on Trump’s mysterious hand bruising

Trump facing outrage as new poll shows majority of Americans don’t want East Wing to be demolished: Latest

Calmes: Trump is in his Louis XIV era, and it's not a good look

Why Trump’s sanctions could take Russia closer to the brink

Trump's oil sanctions have put 'US on warpath with Russia', says Putin ally

Trump revives gunboat diplomacy in Venezuela stand-off

How protestors are using whistles in their battle against Trump’s ICE agents

Donald Trump has privately admitted Mamdani is ‘unbeatable’ in New York mayoral race, report says

Stephen Miller is Trump’s Rottweiler. Now he wants to dismantle the Democrats

Trump sets new shutdown record

World news

Some furloughed workers will return to manage health insurance open enrollment as shutdown drags on

Former B.C. correctional officer charged with breach of trust

California union proposes taxing billionaires to offset Medicaid cuts

Mother-son duo share Glenrose Courage Award after rebuilding life in Edmonton

Series of fall storms to bring heavy rain, strong winds to parts of B.C.

Alberta teen already in custody accused of more terrorism, child porn offences

DC man who followed troops around playing Darth Vader theme sues over his arrest

Trump won’t go to Congress over war with drug cartels: ‘They’re gonna be, like, dead’

Website that promised to unmask Charlie Kirk critics took thousands after he died - then disappeared, report says

Search underway for piano teacher to Hollywood kids who slipped out of country after child sex abuse conviction

Driver was drunk when his Corvette slammed into another car at 135 mph and killed a 25-year-old woman, cops say

Cheeky crane advert boasts of speed and quietness after it was used in Louvre heist

The EU, U.S. Hit Russia Where It Hurts

Labour MPs urge Reeves to break party’s pledge not to raise income tax

NDP hopeful Ashton clarifies stance on tanker ban reversal but still gets nod from Danielle Smith

Carney and Ford say they’re on the ‘same page’ in U.S. trade talks

Nova Scotia’s premier wants to learn from Ontario’s nuclear power project

Trial of 3 Trail firefighters, charged with off-duty assault, set to go ahead

Oil prices spike after US, EU hit Russian oil companies with new sanctions

Melania Trump sued by author over alleged billion-dollar hush money threat

Winnipeg Blue Bombers set record with 14 consecutive home sell-outs

Joe Rogan has a bonkers idea for Trump to troll liberals with a new job after leaving the White House

Trump called off sending border agents to San Francisco after mayor’s phone call

David Ellison has ‘Trump card’ in Paramount’s pursuit to take over Warner Bros. Discovery

Live updates: NBA stars and Mafia among 30 arrested in massive sports betting and gambling probe

Watch those texts! Smartphones emerging as a new way for public figures to get into hot water

If Trump’s East Wing demolition shocks you, check out what he did to priceless works meant for the Metropolitan Museum of Art

Photos reveal shocking destruction of East Wing as crews work to make way for Trump’s ballroom

‘Quarterbacks,’ ‘face cards’ and spy tech: How the Mafia allegedly teamed up with NBA stars to rip off high-stakes poker games

Musk's rollercoaster year: From boycotts and plunging earnings to a potential trillion-dollar payday

States worry about how to fill the gap in food aid ahead of a federal benefits halt

As federal agents ramp up Chicago immigration crackdown, more elected officials caught in crosshairs

Tech CEO and guest on Bravo’s reality show ‘Below Deck’ is charged with murder in hit-and-run crash

Trump pardons Binance founder convicted on money laundering charges to end ‘war on crypto’

Will Trump’s Russia Oil Sanctions Finally Sway Putin?

Lithuanian president says Russian military planes violated the Baltic country's airspace

Trump's turnaround on sanctions targets Russia's oil companies that fund the war in Ukraine

South Korean delegation of lawmakers visits Cambodian site of alleged online scam ring

NATO scrambles warplanes as Russian jets breach European airspace AGAIN

The decades-old exemption that lets Trump fast-track White House rebuild

China names new second highest-ranking general after military purge

Watch: Video appears to show alleged Louvre jewel thieves escaping

NBA injuries, x-ray poker tables and the mafia: What we know about gambling arrests

No Russians or Belarusians at Winter Paralympics

A Mystery in Trinidad as Bodies Wash Ashore After U.S. Strikes

Trump Says Israeli Annexation of West Bank Land ‘Won’t Happen’

Trump pardons Canadian crypto billionaire serving money laundering sentence

Quebec government to ban religious symbols in daycares

Saskatchewan’s Duck Lake to sell naming rights to historic community

Rookie Trey Yesavage named Blue Jays’ starter for Game 1 of World Series

Nova Scotia car crash survivor inspires other teens, walks Paris Fashion Week

‘A predator’: Victims of Arturo Garcia Gorjon relive sex assaults at sentencing hearing

Ford will watch World Series from ‘man cave’ given ticket prices, predicts Blue Jays win

Part-time faculty on strike at two Halifax universities

NBA superstars and mafia among 31 arrested as part of major illegal gambling crackdown in United States

New Sam Adams ‘extreme beer’ is illegal in 15 states

Louvre thieves filmed making painfully slow getaway after whirlwind crown jewels heist