U.S. Has Now Killed Over 85 People In Strikes Against Alleged Drug Vessels After Latest Attack

The U.S. has now killed more than 85 people in attacks against alleged drug vessels in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific after the latest attack, which took place on Thursday.

The strike in question was conducted in the Eastern pacific and was ordered by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, according to the U.S. Southern Command.

"Intelligence confirmed that the vessel was carrying illicit narcotics and transiting along a known narco-trafficking route in the Eastern Pacific," the force said in a social media post. "Four male narco-terrorists aboard the vessel were killed."

Overall, 87 people were killed in the 22 strikes that have been conducted since September.

Hegseth, who has been facing increased scrutiny over the fact that one of the attacks included a second strike to finish off two survivors, boasted about the latest one in a social media publication.

After Andrew Kolvet, spokesman of Turning Point USA, said "every new attack aimed at Pete Hegseth makes me want another narco drug boat blown up and sent to the bottom of the ocean," he replied: "Your wish is our command, Andrew. Just sunk another narco boat."

Hegseth, however, continues to be under scrutiny over the attack. He has recently been slammed by Republican Sen. Rand Paul, who said Hegseth should testify about the incident "under oath."

Speaking to press after seeing the footage of the strike, Paul said he also thinks "the video of the distressed, shipwrecked or incapacitated people on those boats being bombed, that video should be shown to every American."

Other lawmakers have also expressed dismay about the images. Democratic Rep. Jim Himes, the party's top lawmaker on the House Intelligence Committee, said he was stunned after the briefing. He added that Admiral Mitch Bradley, who took part in the episode, has a storied career and he has my respect and he should have the respect of all of us."

However, he went on to say that "what I saw in that room was one of the most troubling things that I've seen in my time in public service."

"You have two individuals in clear distress, without any means of locomotion, with a destroyed vessel, who were killed by the United States," he added.