In a post on X, Hegseth said Mexican authorities took over the search-and-rescue operation for the lone survivor from the three strikes, which took place on Monday.

“The four vessels were known by our intelligence apparatus, transiting along known narco-trafficking routes, and carrying narcotics,” Hegseth said, without providing any evidence.

But Hegseth posted a roughly 30-second video, which appeared to show two vessels close together in the water before exploding.

Another part of the video shows a vessel moving in the water, which then explodes.

The strikes in the Pacific come against the backdrop of a US military buildup in the Caribbean that includes guided-missile destroyers, F-35 fighter jets, a nuclear submarine and thousands of troops.

The administration has ordered the Ford carrier strike group to the region and is expected to reach the Caribbean in the coming weeks.