U.S. military says strikes on 3 boats in the eastern Pacific Ocean kill 8 people

"The U.S. military said Monday that it attacked three boats accused of smuggling drugs in the eastern Pacific Ocean, killing a total of eight people as scrutiny over the boat strikes is intensifying in Congress. The military said in a statement on social media that the strikes targeted "designated terrorist organizations," killing three people in the first vessel, two in the second boat and three in the third boat."

"President Donald Trump has justified the attacks as a necessary escalation to stem the flow of drugs into the United States and asserted the U.S. is engaged in an "armed conflict" with drug cartels. But the Trump administration is facing increasing scrutiny from lawmakers over the boat strike campaign, which has killed at least 95 people in 25 known strikes since early September, including a follow-up strike that killed two survivors clinging to the wreckage of a boat after the first hit."

"The latest boat strikes come on the eve of briefings on Capitol Hill for all members of Congress as questions mount over the Trump administration's military campaign. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and other top national security officials are expected to provide closed-door briefings for lawmakers in the House and Senate. The campaign has ramped up pressure on Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, who has been charged with narcoterrorism in the U.S."

U.S. military forces attacked three boats in the eastern Pacific Ocean accused of smuggling drugs, killing eight people. The military said the strikes targeted "designated terrorist organizations" and posted video of a boat before it exploded but did not provide evidence of trafficking. President Donald Trump characterized the attacks as necessary to stem drug flow and claimed an "armed conflict" with drug cartels. Lawmakers are scrutinizing the campaign after at least 95 people died in 25 known strikes since early September. Top national security officials will provide closed briefings as U.S. forces increase regional presence and pressure on Venezuela.

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