Investigation Finds Three U.S. Military Airstrikes on Venezuelan Vessels Occurred Near Mexican Waters

Since the United States deployed thousands of troops and military assets to South America under the banner of combating drug trafficking organizations, U.S. forces have carried out 19 airstrikes against 20 vessels allegedly transporting narcotics, killing dozens of people in the process.

The initial strikes targeted vessels near Venezuelan waters and throughout the Caribbean Sea. Gradually, the U.S. military has since expanded its operations into the Pacific Ocean.

According to a new investigation by The Washington Post, at least three of the 19 U.S. strikes took place off the coast of Acapulco, one of Mexico's most popular tourist destinations.

The operations have left 76 people dead, two survivors in custody, and one person missing after days of search efforts in Mexican waters.

Although U.S. officials have not confirmed it, one of the strikes near Acapulco reportedly occurred on Oct. 27, when American forces conducted three airstrikes on four vessels suspected of carrying drugs in the eastern Pacific. At least 14 people were killed, marking the campaign's highest death toll in a single day.

Hours after the attack, Mexico's Navy confirmed that its personnel carried out a search-and-rescue mission about 400 miles southwest of Acapulco using a patrol vessel and a maritime surveillance aircraft.

Mexican officials said the operation was launched at the request of the U.S. Coast Guard to locate a survivor from one of the vessels hit by American forces.

The strike drew strong condemnation from Mexico, prompting President Claudia Sheinbaum to call for reinforced maritime cooperation protocols with the United States to prevent unilateral actions that could threaten national sovereignty.

"We do not agree with these interventions, and we already have a protocol that has delivered results," Sheinbaum said. "If the United States detects a boat allegedly carrying drugs in international waters, coordination should take place so that Mexican authorities or U.S. agencies detain the suspects, not destroy the vessels."

Sheinbaum defended the rescue effort, reiterating that it was carried out on humanitarian grounds, and said Mexico would not rule out participating in similar missions in the future.

"The goal is to ensure these operations continue in a way that respects our sovereignty and prevents actions of this kind within our economic zone," Sheinbaum said.