US Coast Guard suspends search for survivors of Pacific boat strike

Al JazeeraCenterEN 2 min read 100% complete by Lyndal RowlandsJanuary 3, 2026 at 05:54 AM

AI Summary

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The US Coast Guard suspended its search for survivors on Friday, following US military strikes on alleged drug smuggling boats in the eastern Pacific. The three-day search covered an area approximately 400 nautical miles southwest of the Mexico/Guatemala border, lasting over 65 hours. The US military's Southern Command reported striking multiple boats, resulting in several deaths, with passengers jumping overboard before their vessels sank. These actions are part of an ongoing military campaign in waters in and around Venezuela. Since early September, there have been 33 known boat strikes and at least 115 deaths, according to the Trump administration. The Coast Guard was notified by the military, who lacked immediate naval presence in the area.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Donald Trump 30% United States Southern Command 40% Mexico 50% Guatemala 50% Venezuela ×260% Pacific Ocean ×370% United States military ×480% United States Coast Guard ×490%

Keywords

boat strike 90% drug smuggling 80% search and rescue 70% us coast guard 70% eastern pacific 60% us military 60% maritime interdiction 50% venezuela 40%