On December 17 (US time), the US military said it had launched a deadly attack on a ship suspected of transporting drugs in the eastern Pacific, killing four people. The information was announced by the US Southern Command on social media.
According to the statement, the US intelligence confirmed that the ship was moving on a known drug trafficking route in the eastern Pacific Ocean and participating in drug trafficking activities.
The South American Command described the ship as being operated by elements known as the "drug terrorist". The military did not provide detailed evidence for the allegation but posted a video showing the ship moving on the water before the explosion.
The attack raised the total number of airstrikes on ships to 26, with at least 99 deaths, according to data released by the Trump administration.
The US president affirmed that the attacks are a necessary escalation to prevent drug flows into the US, and said that the country is participating in an armed conflict with drug gangs.
The ship attack is facing increasing scrutiny from lawmakers. One of the first attacks in early September involved a further hit that killed two survivors - who were clinging to the wreck after the initial hit.
On the same day the military announced the latest attack, the US House of Representatives rejected efforts to limit the President's right to use military power in the fight against drug gangs.
The Democratic-backed resolutions, which required the government to ask for permission from the National Assembly before continuing the attacks, have not been passed by the House of Representatives. These are the first House of Representatives votes on Mr Trump's military campaign in Central and South America.
Previously, the majority of Republicans in the Senate also voted against similar resolutions. If these measures are passed, President Trump will almost certainly use his floor.
