US Strikes Another Alleged Drug Boat   12/23 06:07

   

   WASHINGTON (AP) -- The U.S. military said Monday that it had conducted 
another strike against a boat it said was smuggling drugs in the eastern 
Pacific Ocean, killing one person.

   In a social media post, U.S. Southern Command said, "Intelligence confirmed 
the low-profile vessel was transiting along known narco-trafficking routes in 
the Eastern Pacific and was engaged in narco-trafficking operations." Southern 
Command provided no evidence that the vessel was engaged in drug smuggling.

   A video posted by U.S. Southern Command shows splashes of water near one 
side of the boat. After a second salvo, the rear of the boat catches fire. More 
splashes engulf the craft and the fire grows. In the final second of the video, 
the vessel can be seen adrift with a large patch of fire alongside it.

   Earlier videos of U.S. boat strikes showed vessels suddenly exploding, 
suggesting missile strikes. Some strike videos even had visible rocket-like 
projectiles coming down on the boats.

   The Trump administration has said the strikes were meant to stop the flow of 
drugs into the U.S. and increase pressure on Venezuelan President Nicols 
Maduro.

   At least 105 people have been killed in 29 known strikes since early 
September. The strikes have faced scrutiny from U.S. lawmakers and human rights 
activists, who say the administration has offered scant evidence that its 
targets are indeed drug smugglers and say the fatal strikes amount to 
extrajudicial killings.

   Meanwhile, the U.S. Coast Guard has stepped up efforts to interdict oil 
tankers in the Caribbean Sea as part of the Trump administration's escalating 
campaign against Maduro.