The Coast Guard suspends the hunt for individuals who abandoned ship following US strikes on accused drug boats
The US Coast Guard announced Friday night that it has halted its search for individuals in the ocean following US strikes on accused drug boats in the eastern Pacific Ocean earlier this week.
The US Navy said on Tuesday that it targeted a “convoy” of three drug-trafficking boats in international waters, killing three individuals aboard one and abandoning the other two. The administration has not said how many crew members are believed to have leaped into the sea.
US Southern Command previously stated that it contacted the Coast Guard following Tuesday’s hit to begin search and rescue efforts but did not specify where the strike occurred.
The Coast Guard stated in a news statement on Friday that it coordinated more than 65 hours of search activities around 400 nautical miles southwest of the Mexico-Guatemala border, but Search crews faced major challenges from the start, as the nearest aircraft and vessels were far away and limited by fuel range and response time.
In an official statement, Coast Guard Captain Patrick Dill acknowledged the emotional weight of the decision to pause operations. He said ending an active search is never taken lightly, but teams had already conducted an extensive effort without finding any signs of life. As hours passed and conditions worsened, the chances of survival continued to decrease.
Captain Dill explained that based on the time elapsed, harsh environmental factors, and the resources realistically available to support someone stranded in the water, the probability of a successful rescue had dropped significantly. For now, the Coast Guard has halted active search operations, while remaining prepared to respond if new information emerges.
The US military also launched strikes on suspected drug boats on Monday and Wednesday. According to SOUTHCOM, at least ten people were murdered and six boats sank throughout the three days of strikes this week—although this does not include the number of passengers who abandoned ship during Tuesday’s strike.
According to the Defense Department, at least 115 crew members have died since the Trump administration launched its operation against accused drug vessels in September, not including those who fell overboard on Tuesday.
The Trump administration claims the strikes are being carried out to stop the flow of drugs into the United States, but administration officials have also suggested they are part of a pressure campaign aimed at ousting Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, from whose country many of the stricken vessels originated.
Lawmakers in Congress continue to urge the Trump administration for additional details on the strikes.