US Forces Strike Narco-Vessel in Pacific, 4 Killed; Trump's Drug War Under Scrutiny

• US military's Joint Task Force Southern Spear conducted a lethal kinetic strike on a narco-trafficking vessel in the Eastern Pacific on Dec 17.
• Four male "narco-terrorists" were killed in the operation, directed by Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, with no US forces harmed.
• This strike is part of the Trump administration's campaign against drug cartels, which has seen 26 boat strikes and 99 deaths.
• The campaign faces increasing scrutiny from lawmakers, with Democrats questioning its legality and motives, citing Venezuelan oil interests.
• Trump also ordered a blockade of sanctioned oil tankers into Venezuela, escalating pressure on President Nicolás Maduro.

Why It Matters: US forces struck a narco-vessel, killing 4, as Trump's anti-drug campaign faces political scrutiny.