US strikes another alleged drug-trafficking boat in Eastern Pacific

Associated Press (AP)CenterEN 2 min read 100% complete February 6, 2026 at 09:23 AM

AI Summary

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In February 2026, the U.S. military conducted another strike on a boat in the eastern Pacific Ocean suspected of drug trafficking, killing two people. U.S. Southern Command stated the vessel was operating along known trafficking routes. This action follows a series of similar strikes initiated in September 2025, bringing the total death toll to 128. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth claimed that cartel activity had ceased due to recent strikes, but provided no evidence. The frequency of these attacks has decreased since January, following a high of over a dozen strikes in December 2025. The families of two Trinidadian nationals killed in an October strike have sued the U.S. government, alleging a war crime and challenging the legality of the military campaign.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Trinidadian 30% Venezuela 35% Donald Trump ×240% Nicolás Maduro (Maduro) 50% Pentagon ×260% Caribbean Sea ×265% Eastern Pacific Ocean ×275% Pete Hegseth ×380% U.S. Southern Command ×385% United States ×290%

Keywords

drug trafficking 100% eastern pacific ocean 70% kinetic strikes 70% u.s. military 60% laws of armed conflict 50% war crime 50% cartel drug-traffickers 40% wrongful death 40%

Sentiment Analysis

Negative

Score: -0.30

Source Transparency

Source

Associated Press (AP)

Political Lean

Center (0.00)

Far LeftCenterFar Right

Classification Confidence

90%

This article was automatically classified using rule-based analysis. The political bias score ranges from -1 (far left) to +1 (far right).

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drug trafficking eastern pacific ocean kinetic strikes u.s. military laws of armed conflict war crime cartel drug-traffickers wrongful death

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