Thu Dec 18 11:39:50 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary of the text and a rewritten news article based on it:
Summary:
The US military, under President Trump’s direction, has continued its campaign of attacking boats suspected of drug trafficking in the Eastern Pacific. A recent strike killed four individuals, bringing the total to 26 boat strikes and at least 99 deaths. The administration justifies these attacks as a necessary measure in the fight against drug cartels, claiming an “armed conflict.” However, the campaign is facing increasing scrutiny and opposition from lawmakers who are attempting to limit Trump’s authority to use military force without Congressional authorization. The House of Representatives recently rejected resolutions aimed at requiring Congressional approval, and similar measures have failed in the Senate.
News Article:
U.S. Military Strikes Drug Trafficking Vessel, Killing Four Amidst Congressional Debate
Washington, D.C. – December 18, 2025: The U.S. military has announced another strike against a vessel allegedly involved in drug trafficking in the Eastern Pacific Ocean, resulting in the deaths of four individuals. The operation, confirmed on Wednesday by U.S. Southern Command, involved what the military described as a lethal strike against a boat operated by “narco-terrorists” along a known trafficking route. A video posted online shows a boat targeted by an explosion.
The attack brings the total number of known boat strikes under President Trump’s administration to 26, with at least 99 deaths attributed to these operations. The Trump administration maintains that these strikes are a necessary escalation to combat the flow of drugs into the United States, asserting the U.S. is engaged in an “armed conflict” with drug cartels.
However, the military campaign is facing increasing scrutiny from lawmakers. On Wednesday, the House of Representatives rejected a pair of Democratic-backed resolutions that would have required the Trump administration to seek Congressional authorization before continuing attacks against cartels. These were the first votes in the House on the controversial military campaign in Central and South America.
Similar resolutions have previously failed in the Senate, where a majority of Republicans voted against them. President Trump is expected to veto any such measures if they were to pass Congress, signaling a continued commitment to the current strategy despite growing concerns over its legality and human cost.
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