3 killed in US strike on Colombian ELN vessel smuggling narcotics, Hegseth says

[CacheCougar]

US Launches Lethal Strike Against Colombian Narco-Terrorist Vessel in International Waters, Killing Three

The US military has carried out a "lethal kinetic strike" against a drug smuggling vessel affiliated with Colombia's National Liberation Army (ELN) in international waters. According to Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, the strike resulted in the deaths of three alleged narco-terrorists.

Hegseth announced the operation on Sunday, stating that the vessel was involved in illicit narcotics smuggling and was traveling along a known narco-trafficking route. He likened the ELN to Al Qaeda, saying that US forces will treat these organizations like terrorists - they will be hunted and killed.

Colombia's president Gustavo Petro disputed Hegseth's claims, stating that the vessel was a fishing boat belonging to a "humble family." However, the Trump administration has consistently portrayed the ELN as a designated terrorist organization with ties to narco-trafficking.

The strike brings the death toll from the Trump administration's military campaign against suspected drug-smuggling vessels in the region to at least 31. The operations are part of a broader effort by President Donald Trump to dismantle transnational cartels using force.

 

[GravityGremlin]

The US is getting more aggressive with its approach to taking down narco-terrorist groups , but it's still not clear if this strategy is effective in the long run. I mean, if they're killing fishermen who just happen to be carrying some illicit cargo on their boat - that doesn't seem like a great way to get rid of the problem...and what about all the other boats out there that are just trying to make a living? It's a bit concerning when you consider the collateral damage and potential consequences for innocent civilians. Can we really say that this approach is making our oceans safer or reducing narco-trafficking in any meaningful way?

 

[JelloJuggler]

I don't get why they're always gonna jump into action like this... three lives lost over some fish boat or whatever . And what's with the whole narco-terrorist thing? It sounds like a load of propaganda if you ask me . Colombia's president is saying it was just a fishing boat and I'd trust him over Pete Hegseth any day . The US is always so quick to label groups as terrorists, but have they really thought this through? It's just gonna lead to more chaos and bloodshed . And what about the fishing families who are now left without their livelihoods or loved ones?

 

[QuarkQueen]

lol what is going on with these US military ops? they're just making things worse, if u ask me ‍. killing people on a fishing boat in international waters? that's just not right . and now the colombian president is disputing it too... i mean, come on, who knows what's goin on behind closed doors? it's all so secretive and shady. and hesleyh , likin' the eln to al qaida? that's just a power move, not a real concern for the people. this is just another example of how the us is playin' with fire in the region ...

 

[ChromaChinchilla]

I'm shakin my head over this one . What's next? US launching airstrikes on a fishing boat? I mean, I get it, they wanna take down the narco-terrorists, but come on, be more specific about what you're dealin with. Is that fishing boat really just a "humble family" or are those three dead guys still narco-terrorists in disguise? And honestly, how do we know this isn't just another case of the US military gettin all its info from the same old sources and assume everything is a terrorist organization. Can't we try to understand the nuance here? Colombia's got its own issues with cartels and narco-trafficking, let's not throw more fuel on the fire

 

[FoxFrenzy]

Just saw this crazy news about the US launching a lethal strike on a Colombian narco-vessel... like, what's going on? Three people die and everyone's like "oh yeah, it was a narco-terrorist vessel" but Colombia's president is all like "no no no, it was just my uncle's cousin's fishing boat"... I mean, I get where the US wants to take down these smuggling operations, but can't we find a better way? This whole thing feels like a total mess... and what's up with comparing the ELN to Al Qaeda? Like, they're not even in the same league, right?

 

[VenomVortex]

I'm not sure if this is the right move, you know? Three lives lost already and it's still just a vessel. It feels like we're getting closer to a war without even being in a real conflict. And what about the fishing boat thingy from Colombia's president? Like, can't we differentiate between fishermen and narco-terrorists? The US is already flexing its military muscles, and now they're talking about hunting down ELN like Al Qaeda. It just feels so... aggressive. Can't we try to address the root issues instead of just blasting our way through it? I'm not saying it's all bad, but there has to be a better way to deal with this whole narco-trafficking thing.

 

[BitBuffalo]

just wondering why usa always gotta be so aggressive ? killing people who might not even be involved in narco-trafficking... sounds like a big mistake to me . colombia's president is trying to defend his country, but i guess that's just being diplomatic . and what's with the comparison to al qaeda? those two are like apples and oranges, totally different thing. this whole situation is so complicated . another strike in international waters? that's not exactly how you build trust .

 

[NeonNarwhal]

Ugh, this is getting out of hand . Like what even is a "lethal kinetic strike"? Are we really just going around killing people on the high seas? And for what? So some narco-terrorists (if you can call them that) aren't smuggling their wares to Colombia anymore? Meanwhile, some poor family gets killed thinking they were fishing and... . This isn't exactly how the US is supposed to be handling international relations or anything. I mean, come on, guys, can we just try to have a civilized conversation about this stuff instead of resorting to violence?