The U.S. military conducted its 47th strike against a boat in the Caribbean Sea on Wednesday, killing four people. This action pushed the death toll in the Trump administration's campaign against suspected drug smuggling to at least 163. The Pentagon's Southern Command announced the strike via social media, releasing a brief video showing the boat exploding. Legal experts contend these strikes are illegal extrajudicial killings, targeting civilians who do not pose an imminent threat, even if suspected of criminal activity. The administration has not provided evidence of drug smuggling.

Southern Command cited unspecified intelligence, alleging the boat was on 'known narco-trafficking routes' and 'engaged in narco-trafficking operations.' This latest strike reflects a recent increase in the campaign's pace since it began targeting boats in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific in early September. General Francis Donovan, head of Southern Command, acknowledged last week the strikes 'aren't the answer' to the nation's drug problem, stating they force groups to change tactics but are not a long-term solution.

The ongoing campaign, now totaling 47 strikes, continues to draw criticism for its legality and effectiveness in addressing the root causes of drug trafficking in the region.