US hits another 'narco' boat killing 2 and over 30 in total

Donald Trump’s administration has struck another alleged drug-carrying vessel, killing two people on board, in what appears to be the first attack in the Pacific Ocean.

- ALEX WOODWARD IN NEW YORK

Yesterday’s operation announced by defence secretary Pete Hegseth brings the death toll from the administration’s campaign to more than 30, as the United States declares itself at war with drug cartels in an expanding military campaign across South America.

The vessel “was known by our intelligence to be involved in illicit narcotics smuggling, was transiting along a known narco-trafficking transit route, and carrying narcotics,” according to Mr Hegseth. Two “narco-terrorists” were killed in the strike off Colombia’s coast, he said yesterday.

The latest strike – believed to be the eighth attack since September – raises the death toll from the administration’s attacks to at least 34 people, who Mr Hegseth compared to the terror group behind 9/11.

“Narco-terrorists intending to bring poison to our shores, will find no safe harbour anywhere in our hemisphere,” Mr Hegseth added. “Just as al-Qaeda waged war on our homeland, these cartels are waging war on our border and our people. There will be no refuge or forgiveness – only justice.”

Officials did not immediately identify the group or country accused of running drugs in the Pacific.