US says forces hit drug‑smuggling boat linked to Colombian guerrillas

U.S. forces attacked a drug-smuggling vessel on Friday (October 17) and killed three people, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said on Sunday (October 19), alleging that the boat was affiliated to a Colombian guerrilla group. Vice President JD Vance said U.S. authorities handle survivors of such strikes on a case‑by‑case basis, including repatriation or prosecution. "Our main focus is to blow up these boats that have narcotics on them," Vance said, calling those involved "narco terrorists."