Rubio defends US strikes on boats, warns of drug cartel ‘cancer’

Rubio defends US strikes on boats, warns of drug cartel ‘cancer’ US Secretary of State pledges continued military operations against suspected drug traffickers in Latin American waters US Secretary of State Marco Rubio defended controversial strikes on suspected drug-trafficking boats during a visit to Ecuador on Wednesday, arguing Latin American cartels would “eat these countries alive” if left unchecked. Hailing a new generation of conservative leaders emerging across the region who are allied with President Donald Trump, Rubio said Washington was finding partners willing to be “very aggressive” against criminal groups. Since Trump returned to power, the United States has embraced air strikes against vessels plying known trafficking routes in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific. According to Pentagon figures, the operations have killed more than 200 people. Rights groups, fishermen and their relatives have questioned the campaign, alleging vessels were targeted without sufficient evidence of links to trafficking. Experts have also questioned whether they do anything to curb the flow of cocaine and other drugs to the United States – the world’s largest consumer. [Image text:] UNCLASSIFIED UNCLASSIFIED INCLASSIFTILI UNCLASSIFIED UNCLASSIFIED 4M UNCLASSIFIED