The US military says it struck two boats it alleges were carrying drugs on Wednesday, killing five people on board.
US Southern Command did not specify the location of the latest strikes, but US forces have been targeting vessels they suspect of smuggling narcotics through the Caribbean and eastern Pacific for the past three months.
The strike followed an earlier operation that resulted in the deaths of at least three individuals aboard a convoy of three other suspected narcotic vessels.
Critics point to potential legal violations of international armed conflict laws in these military operations, particularly under the Trump administration's strategy.
Since the anti-drug campaign began, over 30 strikes have taken place, leading to the deaths of more than 110 individuals. The first documented attack back in September raised eyebrows, as it was reported that survivors of an initial strike were killed in a subsequent attack.
Concerns around the legality of these military strikes have been voiced within the US government, with lawmakers and legal experts scrutinizing the rules of engagement.
As the US continues its operations, evidence of drug trafficking activities remains undisclosed, although Southern Command insists that intelligence has confirmed these vessels were engaged in narcotics-related activities.
