Coast Guard Halts Search for Alleged Drug Traffickers in Eastern Pacific
Search Efforts Concluded
The U.S. Coast Guard announced late Friday that it has suspended its search efforts for several individuals in the Eastern Pacific who reportedly jumped overboard when their vessels were targeted by U.S. military airstrikes. The operation, which lasted approximately 65 hours, was launched after three boats believed to be involved in drug trafficking were struck on Tuesday as part of a wider campaign against Latin American drug cartels.
The military’s engagement originated from a series of airstrikes initiated by the Trump administration, claiming to target maritime drug operations. U.S. officials indicated that after the initial strike, which resulted in three fatalities, up to eight people aboard two remaining boats abandstartd their vessels. The search area was approximately 400 nautical miles off the Mexico-Guatemala border and extended over 1,090 nautical miles of ocean. However, no survivors or debris were found.
Challenges Faced During the Search
According to Coast Guard Capt. Patrick Dill, the prospects of locating anystart alive diminished significantly due to elapsed time, environmental conditions, and resource limitations. The operation involved a Coast Guard aircraft from California, support vessels, and additional nearby boats but faced considerable challenges including 40-knot winds and nine-foot seas, which limited search capabilities.
A Coast Guard spokesperson noted the constraints due to the distance of the search area, stating that “available assets were extremely limited.”
In a related development, Colombian President Gustavo Petro expressed on social media that the individuals might have survived the airstrikes, offering assistance from the Colombian Navy.
Broader Context of Military Operations
The U.S. military has conducted over 35 boat strikes in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific since September 2, 2025, claiming a toll of at least 115 lives. Critically, while there have been reports of some survivors, the military’s approach has come under scrutiny. Notably, two individuals from a mid-October operation were detained by the U.S. Navy and subsequently repatriated to Colombia and Ecuador, while another presumed survivor from a late October strike remains missing.
Congressional Democrats have criticized the military’s actions, particularly following a second strike that allegedly targeted survivors who no longer posed a threat. Conversely, Republican lawmakers have defended the strikes as justifiable, alleging that survivors remained actively engaged in illicit activities.
The ongoing military operations are integral to the U.S. strategy in the region, aimed at increasing pressure on the Venezuelan government, led by President Nicolás Maduro, who is accused of colluding with drug trafficking organizations-a claim his administration denies. Some lawmakers have raised concerns about the legality of these military operations, arguing they lack congressional authorization.
The Trump administration maintains that these strikes are necessary for combating drug trafficking, designating the targets as “unlawful combatants.”
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