Drug-smuggling vessel hit by US forces in Pacific waters

The official, speaking on condition of anonymity, did not provide further details but said there were several people on the vessel — suspected to be smugglers — when it was struck.

The latest strike, which was first reported by CBS News, comes against the backdrop of a US military buildup in the Caribbean that includes guided missile destroyers, F-35 fighter jets, a nuclear submarine and around 6,500 troops.

(Reporting by Idrees Ali and Phil Stewart, Editing by Franklin Paul and Chizu Nomiyama)