Imagine coming home from work only to hear about a deadly strike that happened just miles off our coast. The US military has again taken action, this time targeting suspected narco-terrorists involved in drug trafficking.

The operation resulted in four fatalities and is part of an ongoing effort since September to combat the flow of illegal drugs into our communities. Over 160 individuals have been eliminated as part of these efforts, according to official reports.

This isn't isolated; it's a pattern that has seen more aggressive measures under the current administration compared to previous actions by Obama-era officials. But as a mother and a neighbor, I can’t help but wonder: what kind of world are we leaving our children?

There’s something unsettling about these reports not being front-page news every day. What if this happened near your child's school? Would it be the same?

The military operations aim to protect us from the dangers associated with cartel activities, but as someone who sees firsthand the impact of such violence on families and neighborhoods, I can’t help feeling a growing sense of unease.

These actions remind me that we are not immune to these issues. The drugs they traffic affect every single one of our communities in ways we often don't see or understand until it's too late.

The fear hits home when I think about the safety and future of my kids, their friends, and all those who rely on us for security. What if this was closer to home? Could you handle that?

This isn’t just a story about strikes in the Caribbean; it’s about every mom and dad worrying about their children's safety from drugs and violence.