US Pacific Strikes Kill 14, Spark Criticism

The US military carried out three strikes on four vessels in the eastern Pacific on Monday, killing 14 and leaving one survivor, Pete Hegseth, the Trump administration's defense secretary, said Tuesday. He labeled those targeted "narco-terrorists" traveling known trafficking routes, and said Mexican authorities coordinated rescue of the survivor. The operation followed at least eight boat strikes off Venezuela's coast that killed about 40 people. Lawmakers complained of scant briefings, with Sen. Rand Paul calling the actions "extrajudicial killings," while some Republicans voiced support. A bipartisan Senate bid to curb strikes in or against Venezuela failed earlier in October.