[{"_1":2,"_3":-5,"_4":-5},"loaderData",{"_5":6,"_7":8,"_9":10},"actionData","errors","root",{"_309":310,"_311":-5,"_312":-7,"_313":314,"_315":-7,"_316":146,"_145":146,"_147":317,"_318":116,"_17":18,"_319":320,"_321":322,"_141":323,"_307":12,"_324":12,"_325":-7,"_156":157,"_26":-7,"_326":327,"_328":329,"_330":-7,"_331":-7,"_332":20,"_333":334},"routes/($lang).stories",{"_306":12,"_307":12,"_117":74,"_308":-7,"_26":-7},"routes/($lang).stories.$id._index",{"_11":12,"_13":14,"_15":16,"_17":18,"_19":20,"_21":22,"_23":-5,"_24":25,"_26":-7},"isAuthenticated",false,"story",{"_51":-5,"_29":54,"_31":262,"_263":264,"_35":265,"_46":266,"_267":80,"_268":-5,"_37":84,"_269":-5,"_270":-5,"_271":-5,"_272":-5,"_273":-5,"_274":-5,"_40":275,"_48":276,"_277":12,"_278":-5,"_279":-5,"_280":281,"_282":-5,"_283":174,"_284":285,"_286":-5,"_287":-5,"_288":-5,"_122":289,"_124":290,"_172":291,"_141":292,"_293":-5,"_294":84,"_295":296,"_297":296,"_298":296,"_299":296,"_300":-5,"_301":-7},"tweets",[],"publicUser",{"_29":102,"_40":103,"_104":105,"_106":107,"_108":20,"_109":110,"_111":74,"_31":112,"_35":113,"_79":114,"_115":116,"_117":74,"_118":119,"_120":74,"_121":74,"_122":123,"_124":125,"_126":127,"_128":129,"_130":131},"userSchema","us.nos.news","perspectivesColumns",1,"intro","relatedArticles",[27,28],"error",{"_29":80,"_31":81,"_33":82,"_35":83,"_37":84,"_39":84,"_40":41,"_42":85,"_44":86,"_46":74,"_48":-5,"_49":87,"_51":88,"_53":54,"_55":89},{"_29":30,"_31":32,"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":-5,"_40":41,"_42":43,"_44":45,"_46":47,"_48":-5,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56},"id","3f457d2d-a5a1-4ee7-9eb4-06c76c84d3a3","title","US military says strike on alleged drug vessel in eastern Pacific kills five people","summary","The US military reported that an airstrike on a suspected drug-trafficking vessel in the eastern Pacific resulted in five fatalities. This incident is one of many such attacks under Donald Trump's presidency, which critics argue may constitute extrajudicial killings due to a lack of definitive evidence and potential targeting of civilians.","description","US military says it carried out an airstrike on an alleged drug-trafficking boat in latest attack in region","imageUrl","https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/3f96e39eb52099994f642d9c98542c85fd1f003a/0_0_1156_925/master/1156.jpg?width=1200&height=630&quality=85&auto=format&fit=crop&precrop=40:21,offset-x50,offset-y0&overlay-align=bottom%2Cleft&overlay-width=100p&overlay-base64=L2ltZy9zdGF0aWMvb3ZlcmxheXMvdGctZGVmYXVsdC5wbmc&enable=upscale&s=e686860ed4d23594a3e204fd5e6b7868","enclosure","state","published","pubDate","2026-10-27T17:35:50","linkUrl","https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/oct/27/us-military-strike-vessel-eastern-pacific","subject","politics","tags","perspective","liberal","event",{"_29":57,"_58":59,"_60":22,"_48":61,"_62":63,"_64":65,"_66":67},"storyId","01a18192-8540-24ee-7307-0346ef24c8a2","textContent","The US ⁠military ⁠said on Tuesday ⁠it killed ⁠five people ‌after ‌an airstrike on a ‌suspected drug-trafficking vessel in the ⁠eastern Pacific.\nTuesday’s strike was among more than 70 such attacks since the beginning of Donald Trump’s second presidency, according to media tallies. Collectively, they have killed more than 240 people.\nThe [Trump administration](https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/trump-administration) has maintained the people and boats were involved in trafficking. Trump has said the US is locked in armed conflict [with Latin American cartels](https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/mar/05/hegseth-latin-america-drug-cartels) while justifying strikes as necessary to stem the flow of drugs into the US.\nBut the [Trump administration](https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/trump-administration) has not provided definitive evidence to back up its contentions of drug trafficking and has prompted debate about the legality of the strikes.\nLegal experts and rights groups argue the strikes could amount to extrajudicial killings because they have apparently targeted civilians who do not pose an immediate threat to the US.\n*More details soon …*\n*Reuters, the Associated Press and Agence France-Presse contributed reporting","32de5b91441dd2a399fab44d45d86b47da2a72304db5e45eb9fa1691094d2ffa","sig","d93755c3a9bd3671d4959a753b9767fa39b3b5c2435273a4d9516b0f2470220901e91787d795fd5d9df1ed2d3a7f9eda8d82ab8ef6f695c23b485aeb98ed21a4","kind",[68,69,70,71,72],"pubkey","c70c3496af43d505c85c2c54b4792401b1620ba0b7793cc8e68348d7f2a209da","content","US military says strike on alleged drug vessel in eastern Pacific kills five people\nUS military says it carried out an airstrike on an alleged drug-trafficking boat in latest attack in region\n\n\nnostr:naddr1qvzqqqr4gupzp3cvxjt27s74qhy9ctz5k3ujgqd3vg96pdme8nywdq6g6le2yzw6qqjrxe35x5mkgvny94sn2cf3956x2efh95uk2c3595crvcehxe3nsdryxdsnxxdak9j ","created_at",1793169727,[46,32],[79,38],[76,77,74,78],[75,74],[73,63,74],"p","","client","a","30023:c70c3496af43d505c85c2c54b4792401b1620ba0b7793cc8e68348d7f2a209da:3f457d2d-a5a1-4ee7-9eb4-06c76c84d3a3","mention","image","a84b72a8-0c5f-4440-9451-c0d869dbdd9b","US military kills five in eastern Pacific strike on suspected drug-trafficking vessel","The U.S. military conducted a lethal strike on a vessel in the eastern Pacific believed to be involved in drug trafficking, resulting in the deaths of five individuals described as 'narco-terrorists.' This action is part of an ongoing campaign by the Trump administration targeting suspected cartel vessels, which has led to numerous deaths and strikes. The military's use of lethal force against suspected traffickers outside traditional battlefields has drawn scrutiny from lawmakers and human rights groups.","Video shows a go-fast vessel erupt into a massive fireball as SOUTHCOM confirms five narco-terrorists were killed in the eastern Pacific strike.","https://static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2026/10/oct-centcom.gif","2026-10-28T04:05:35","https://www.foxnews.com/us/us-military-kills-five-eastern-pacific-strike-suspected-drug-trafficking-vessel","conservative",{"_29":90,"_58":91,"_60":22,"_48":92,"_62":93,"_64":94,"_66":95},"

The U.S. military on Tuesday carried out a lethal strike on a vessel in theeastern Pacificthat it said was involved in drug trafficking, killing five people it identified as \"narco-terrorists,\" according to U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM).

\"On October 27, under the direction of SOUTHCOM, Joint Task Force Western Hemisphere executed a lethal, kinetic strike on a go-fast vessel operating along established narco-trafficking routes in the Eastern Pacific,\" SOUTHCOM said in a statement.

\"Confirmed intelligence revealed the vessel's active involvement in narco-trafficking,\" the statement continued.

SOUTHCOM said five people it described as narco-terrorists were killed during the operation.

US FORCES OBLITERATE SUSPECTED 'NARCO-TERRORIST' VESSEL IN LETHAL EASTERN PACIFIC STRIKE, KILLING 3

Tuesday's strike was the latest in the Trump administration's monthslong campaign targetingsuspected cartel vessels, which has now resulted in at least 240 deaths from more than 70 strikes, according to The Associated Press.

Video of Tuesday's operation released by SOUTHCOM shows a vessel in the water before it erupts into a massive fireball.

SOUTHCOM did not specify where the strike occurred beyond identifying the eastern Pacific and saying the vessel was operating alongestablished drug-trafficking routes.

US KILLS TWO 'NARCO-TERRORISTS' IN STRIKE 2 MONTHS SINCE LAST ANNOUNCED ANTI-'NARCO-TRAFFICKING' ATTACK

Throughout its campaign targeting suspected drug-trafficking networks, the military has released videos and statements describing those aboard the targeted vessels as \"narco-terrorists\" or alleging links to designated terrorist organizations. However, it has generally not identified those killed or provided evidence that the vessels were carrying narcotics.

The strikes have generated scrutiny from lawmakers, legal experts and human rights groups who have questioned the legal basis for using lethal military force against suspected traffickers outside a traditional battlefield.

SOUTHCOM's continued operations inLatin America and the Caribbeancome after Secretary of State Marco Rubio said last month that the U.S. was increasingly seeking to conduct counter-narcotics operations in cooperation with regional allies and in accordance with their laws.

Rubio told reporters that while the U.S. has \"the capacity to act unilaterally,\" it would rather work with its allies because that is \"the most effective way to do it.\"

THE UNLIKELY SOUTH AMERICAN ALLY HELPING LEAD TRUMP'S DRUG CARTEL CRACKDOWN

Rubio also said the U.S. military would \"still blow up ships if need be\" and that decisions would be made on \"a strike-by-strike or operation-by-operation\" basis.

In recent months, SOUTHCOM has also released several videos showing military personnel intercepting and boarding vessels it said were involved in narco-trafficking before removing their crews and sinking the boats.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

","f4e4bcdc5ef9bc7d81135caa5dedbf067fc59dedb23c375d6b49c5ffffc4bf3c","e70640b7af257e1f66e05e31f8d80c11a63e253037442363465f37617968c75cbbade84628406098601c2278262baea641203635a6665babc543535bebdac640",[96,97,98,99,100],"d9ce26dad2db27b53683a9e9b339de47f4fb926ca550b089e5192b46334fbaaf","US military kills five in eastern Pacific strike on suspected drug-trafficking vessel\nVideo shows a go-fast vessel erupt into a massive fireball as SOUTHCOM confirms five narco-terrorists were killed in the eastern Pacific strike.\n\n\nnostr:naddr1qvzqqqr4gupzpkwwymdd9ke8k5mg820fkvuau3l5lwfxef2skzy72xftgce5lw40qqjxzwp5vgmnycfc95cxxdtx956rgdps95ungdf3943nqepcxcukgcnyvsuky0ghe4c ",1793160335,[46,81],[79,84],[76,101,74,78],[75,74],[73,93,74],"30023:d9ce26dad2db27b53683a9e9b339de47f4fb926ca550b089e5192b46334fbaaf:a84b72a8-0c5f-4440-9451-c0d869dbdd9b","63ece313-6664-40f2-aeb5-f0169946987f","live","userDomainName","news","userPubKey","ad97bf80bee1f2476edadb4ff1869575c8426163efb5df412513a802c12acf8c","domainAliasName","icon","https://pub-238dbe5dbaad42f89540a272cca1ecac.r2.dev/c2444d28f2e6ff4d77e0ef00d8e5f368d7c01480d3c452be79240210f84fb01e.png","appleTouchIcon","layer3 news","Get the latest headlines, political updates, business trends, and cultural stories from across the United States — summarized into clear, easy-to-read insights delivered straight to your inbox.","https://cdn.theatlantic.com/thumbor/I_nnaUHlvsXXGiRiOvfhBG2ZIwQ=/0x61:2876x1559/1200x625/media/img/mt/2026/01/20260112_trump_id_2/original.jpg","themeColor","#d8052c","headerLogoUrl","topArticleId","81d938b1-e974-4b68-b16e-beb9d1a24044","url","messageFooterTemplate","createdAt",["D",1765466426835],"updatedAt",["D",1765466426835],"userId","d9bf80ff-c7a4-4f72-80c7-c289acec499b","user",{"_29":127,"_229":105,"_230":105,"_231":232,"_35":113,"_233":110,"_234":-5,"_235":236,"_237":238,"_239":-5,"_240":-5,"_241":146,"_242":243,"_244":245,"_246":107,"_247":248,"_48":249,"_49":-5,"_206":161,"_250":12,"_251":12,"_252":-5,"_253":-5,"_254":255,"_256":-5,"_257":-5,"_258":12,"_259":-5,"_122":260,"_124":261},"domainSettings",{"_132":102,"_133":134,"_135":-5,"_136":-5,"_137":138,"_139":140,"_141":142,"_143":144,"_145":146,"_147":148,"_149":150,"_151":152},"domainId","indexName","new-layer3-news-prod","stripeApiKey","stripeAccountId","stripeAccountStatus","disconnected","gettingStartedGuide",{"_220":161,"_221":161,"_222":161,"_223":161,"_224":161,"_225":161,"_226":161,"_227":161,"_228":161},"perspectives",[50,87],"contentFilters",[],"blogLanguage","en","supportedLocales",[214,215,216,217,218,219],"preferences",{"_13":153,"_154":155,"_156":157},"hubSyndicateId","9369e774-abe1-4ca9-a0b1-cd8d53f4b79a",{"_179":180,"_167":168,"_181":182,"_183":184,"_185":186,"_187":188,"_189":190,"_191":192},"grouping",{"_167":168,"_169":170,"_171":172,"_173":174,"_175":12,"_176":177,"_178":12},"interfacePreferences",{"_158":159,"_160":161,"_162":163,"_21":22,"_164":165,"_166":12},"mainLayout","news-hub","showArticles",true,"showComments","right","profileHeaderVariant","bottom","useTopNavigationBrandHeader","model","gpt-5.6-luna","balance",50,"rebalanceVariant","articles","minRelatedArticles",2,"stressOneSidedInTitle","perspectiveRequirement","both","deprioritizeOneSidedInReranking","tone","critical","blocks",[199,200,201,202,203],"format","compare_contrast","length","short","elements",[197,198],"workflowVariant","v2","heroImageOptions",{"_193":194,"_195":196},"skipPerspectives",[],"skipAuthorsPubkeys",[],"direct_quotes","tweet_citations",{"_29":212,"_60":213,"_206":161,"_207":73},{"_29":210,"_60":211,"_206":161,"_207":73},{"_29":209,"_60":197,"_206":161,"_207":73},{"_29":208,"_60":198,"_206":161,"_207":73},{"_29":204,"_60":205,"_206":12,"_207":73},"45159e9f-d754-4d66-b0eb-88aca5047d50","source_footer","enabled","wrapper","938dacb4-3c56-4701-bebf-63ae0fc80f7d","4f61f6d6-5152-4233-b89d-1a0b7d123c99","1142e507-48de-46cb-8087-a51b4d1f1764","body","9233b0ea-e80f-4834-8181-76ea69876131","lede","es","fr","de","pt","it","ru","create_plan_v1","import_blog_v1","upload_logo_v1","setup_domain_v1","setup_news_hub_v1","customize_theme_v1","add_synced_feeds_v1","publish-first-article","personal_information_v1","username","displayName","fullName","US News","avatarUrl","nip5","website","https://news.layer3.press/","banner","https://media.newyorker.com/photos/6a0c8c10642a1634572af773/master/w_2240,c_limit/Gangemi_Bird-SongMnemonics_GettyImages-1088111602.jpg","bot","birthday","interfaceLanguage","blogDescription","AI-news","blogTitle","Layer3.news","publicKey","lightingAddress","l3ponews8c955292@coinos.io",[],"translate","deleted","email","oneTimeCode","oneTimeCodeExpires",["D",1793186293145],"telegramId","signStrategy","hasConnectedSecret","connectedPublicKey",["D",1765466426601],["D",1792068832889],"U.S. Strike on Suspected Drug Vessel Kills Five","slug","u-s-strike-on-suspected-drug","The U.S. military said a strike on a suspected drug-trafficking vessel in the eastern Pacific killed five people, prompting renewed scrutiny of the administration’s use of lethal force outside traditional battlefields.","index","rootArticleId","compareContrast","imageCaption","imageCopyrightNotice","videoUrl","videoCaption","videoCopyrightNotice","videoEmbedType","ready",[],"pinned","pinnedPosition","appearance","consensusLayout","summary_then_columns","lockedUntil","articlesCount","mostRecentArticlePubDate",["D",1793160335000],"eventId","eventPublicKey","publishedAt",["D",1793175225663],["D",1793175225667],[302,303],[],"selectedArticleImage","rootArticleImageUrl","likes",0,"zaps","reposts","comments","localization","consensusHtml",{"_53":54,"_304":30,"_305":28},{"_53":54,"_304":80,"_305":27},"articleId","article","hasPaywall","isStripeConnected","userSubscription","theme","light","currentUser","currentUserVersion2","currentPath","/en-GB/stories/01a18192-8540-24ee-7307-0346ef24c8a2","customDomain","defaultLocale",[214,215,216,217,218,219],"domainPrimaryAccentColor","relays",[456,457,458,459,460,461,462,463,464,456],"plans",[443],[50,87],"isDomainOwner","userInterfaceLanguage","session",{"_246":-5,"_439":12,"_440":441,"_147":317},"locale","en-GB","sessionNpub","sessionPublicKey","hostname","syndicated",{"_29":152,"_335":336,"_337":338,"_339":161},"name","nos.news","list",[340,341,342,343,344],"isActive",{"_345":105,"_347":422,"_328":423,"_233":110,"_351":424,"_353":425},{"_345":404,"_347":405,"_328":406,"_233":407,"_351":404,"_353":408},{"_345":387,"_347":388,"_328":389,"_233":390,"_351":215,"_353":391},{"_345":368,"_347":369,"_328":370,"_233":371,"_351":216,"_353":372},{"_345":346,"_347":348,"_328":349,"_233":350,"_351":352,"_353":354},"key","brazil","host","https://resumosbrasil.com/",{"_216":355,"_146":356,"_214":357,"_215":358,"_218":359,"_217":360,"_219":361,"_329":362},"https://pub-238dbe5dbaad42f89540a272cca1ecac.r2.dev/1f7ac662a0625073856a04106461b1dbe951e3f640b69994a82761073dc39f2c.png","countryCode","br","defaultName","Brazil",{"_335":367},{"_335":354},{"_335":364},{"_335":366},{"_335":365},{"_335":364},{"_335":363},{"_335":354},"Бразилия","Brasil","Brasile","Brésil","Brasilien","germany","https://germany.nos.news/",{"_216":373,"_146":374,"_214":375,"_215":376,"_218":377,"_217":378,"_219":379,"_329":380},"https://pub-238dbe5dbaad42f89540a272cca1ecac.r2.dev/9ead1bc194a3a01035de7f65160c91b32604d2c788b35a914543c34ef451cd3a.png","Germany",{"_335":386},{"_335":372},{"_335":385},{"_335":384},{"_335":383},{"_335":382},{"_335":381},{"_335":372},"Германия","Alemanha","Germania","Allemagne","Alemania","Deutschland","france","https://france.nos.news/",{"_216":392,"_146":393,"_214":394,"_215":395,"_218":396,"_217":397,"_219":398,"_329":399},"https://pub-238dbe5dbaad42f89540a272cca1ecac.r2.dev/0d075f82e2b4f4fa762101ae95488a425d2df9f40c5b7e120954509c635879bf.png","France",{"_335":403},{"_335":391},{"_335":402},{"_335":391},{"_335":402},{"_335":401},{"_335":400},{"_335":391},"Франция","França","Francia","Frankreich","uk","https://uk.nos.news/",{"_216":409,"_146":410,"_214":411,"_215":412,"_218":413,"_217":414,"_219":415,"_329":416},"https://pub-238dbe5dbaad42f89540a272cca1ecac.r2.dev/16d2af8dfe6bff63fd76dc7434e09f1c98de85b1aa8d35ab98b473bae3c1f97d.png","United Kingdom",{"_335":421},{"_335":408},{"_335":418},{"_335":420},{"_335":419},{"_335":418},{"_335":417},{"_335":408},"Великобритания","Reino Unido","Regno Unito","Royaume-Uni","Vereinigtes Königreich","https://us.nos.news/",{"_216":426,"_146":427,"_214":428,"_215":429,"_218":430,"_217":431,"_219":432,"_329":433},"us","United States",{"_335":438},{"_335":425},{"_335":435},{"_335":437},{"_335":436},{"_335":435},{"_335":434},{"_335":425},"Соединённые Штаты","Estados Unidos","Stati Uniti","États-Unis","Vereinigte Staaten","isAdmin","rights",{"_442":12},"owner",{"_29":444,"_335":445,"_35":446,"_447":448,"_449":450,"_451":452,"_453":296,"_339":161,"_122":454,"_124":455},"aa350e4b-615d-4e49-ac7d-9832ef82b0a9","Basic plan","Stay informed with essential updates delivered straight to your inbox.","price","0.00","currency","USD","billingInterval","monthly","trialDays",["D",1765466430811],["D",1765466430811],"wss://articles.layer3.news","wss://relaypag.es","wss://nostr-01.yakihonne.com","wss://purplepag.es","wss://nos.lol","wss://relay.primal.net","wss://relay.damus.io","wss://relay.nostr.net","wss://relay.damus.io/"]

U.S. Strike on Suspected Drug Vessel Kills Five

Story coverage