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US launches another deadly strike on alleged drug vessel in Pacific

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U.S. forces board Venezuela-linked oil tanker in Indian Ocean
  • The US military announced a strike on a suspected narco-trafficking vessel in the eastern Pacific, resulting in two deaths and one survivor.
  • This incident contributes to 130 fatalities from strikes carried out under the Trump administration against alleged drug boats.
  • Separately, military forces boarded a sanctioned oil tanker in the Indian Ocean, part of an “oil quarantine” strategy to pressure Venezuela.
  • Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed the boarding, stating the military's resolve to intercept all vessels attempting to circumvent sanctions.
  • Another deadly strike occurred last week on a vessel accused of drug trafficking in the eastern Pacific, shortly after Hegseth made an unsubstantiated claim about cartels ceasing operations.
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