By Michael Rios, Avery Schmitz, Matt Stiles, CNN
(CNN) – The US military has killed 115 individuals in strikes that have destroyed 36 boats as part of a campaign aimed at reducing the flow of drugs into the United States. Several survivors from those strikes remain, two of whom were briefly held by the US Navy before being sent back to their home countries. Another is thought to be dead following a search conducted by the Mexican Navy.
The US Coast Guard initiated a search for an unknown number of survivors who abandoned ship prior to their vessels being attacked on December 30 in international waters. Guard ended its search on January 2.
The Trump administration informed Congress that the US is now engaged in an “armed conflict” against drug cartels since its first strike on September 2, labeling those who died as “unlawful combatants” and claiming authority to conduct lethal strikes without judicial oversight due to a classified Justice Department ruling.
Some members of Congress along with human rights organizations have questioned this ruling and argued that suspected drug traffickers should be prosecuted, as was the practice during interdiction efforts prior to President Donald Trump’s term.
The Trump administration has also not presented any public evidence showing narcotics aboard the struck boats or their connections to drug cartels.
Military officials stated that no US service members have been harmed during these strikes.
This story has been updated with additional reporting.
The-CNN-Wire
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