The U.S. military launched another strike Friday on a boat accused of ferrying drugs in the eastern Pacific Ocean, killing two people, according to reporting from LEX 18 News.

The Trump administration's campaign of destroying alleged drug-trafficking vessels in Latin American waters has persisted since early September and resulted in at least 183 deaths total, with additional strikes occurring in the Caribbean Sea. The military has not publicly provided evidence that any of the targeted vessels were carrying drugs.

U.S. Southern Command said it targeted the alleged drug traffickers along known smuggling routes. The command posted video on X showing a boat floating in water before an explosion engulfed it in flames.

The attacks began as the U.S. built up its largest military presence in the region in generations. They came months ahead of a raid in January that led to the capture of then-Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, who was brought to New York to face drug trafficking charges and has pleaded not guilty.

President Donald Trump has characterized the U.S. as engaged in armed conflict with cartels in Latin America and has justified the strikes as a necessary escalation to reduce drug flow into the United States. "We're at war with the cartels," Trump stated, describing the operations as part of broader efforts to combat transnational criminal organizations.

However, critics have questioned the legal basis for the boat strikes under international law. Legal experts have raised concerns about whether the attacks comply with established rules governing military operations and use of force in international waters.