US confirms 157 dead in maritime attack experts call ‘outrageous’ | Military news

A defense official tells Congress that 47 alleged drug-trafficking vessels have been hit since the campaign began.

The United States military has confirmed that at least 157 people have been killed in deadly raids against alleged drug-trafficking boats off Latin America, described by legal experts as a campaign of extrajudicial killings.

In a written statement to members of the US Congress, senior defense official Joseph Humir said 47 “drug trafficking vessels” had been struck in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific since the operation began in September.

Asked by lawmakers Tuesday if the amount of drugs entering the U.S. has decreased, Humire said the movement of drug-trafficking vessels in the Caribbean has decreased by 20 percent.

“We measured a decrease in the movement of ships,” Humir said.

“But it’s actually none of the drugs coming into the US,” Rep. Adam Smith responded.

Experts are skeptical that the strikes are having any significant impact on the drug trade, and legal scholars say the campaign is a clear violation of international law and blurs the distinction between armed conflict and criminal activity. Under international law, the former is permitted military force, but the latter is not.

The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) is investigating the strikes, and lawyers hope the hearings could open the door to possible legal accountability for those responsible.

The Pentagon shared videos on social media showing the strikes on the vessels, but provided few details about those killed or evidence of the status of their drug vessels.

US President Donald Trump’s administration has adopted a military approach to combating drug trafficking that has allowed the US to expand its military footprint across the region.

The U.S. has increased cooperation with friendly governments like Ecuador and threatened military strikes against countries like Mexico and Colombia if the U.S. doesn’t do more to accommodate its demands.