WASHINGTON: Strikes on three alleged drug-trafficking vessels in the eastern Pacific Ocean killed eight people on Monday, according to the US military, the latest in a controversial campaign that has killed dozens of people. Since early September, the US military under Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth has targeted alleged drug-smuggling boats in the Caribbean Sea and eastern Pacific Ocean, destroying at least 26 vessels and killing at least 95 people.

The US has carried out more than 20 strikes in international waters on alleged drug vessels since September.

The Pentagon has attacked three boats in the eastern Pacific, killing eight people, amid the Trump administration's use of military strikes against vessels allegedly transporting…