US Southern Command confirms lethal strike on 'narco-trafficking vessel' in Eastern Pacific; two killed

US Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) said it conducted a lethal kinetic strike on a vessel allegdely operated by “designated terrorist organizations” operating along known narco-trafficking routes in the Eastern Pacific. According to an X post released by SOUTHCOM, the operation took place on Thursday, February 5, under the direction of Gen. Francis L. Donovan, commander of US Southern Command. The strike was carried out by Joint Task Force Southern Spear after intelligence confirmed the vessel was actively engaged in narco-trafficking operations.

SOUTHCOM said two narco-terrorists were killed during the strike. No US military personnel were injured. A video accompanying the social media post announcing the strike shows a boat moving through the water before exploding in flames.



The February operation follows a similar strike conducted on January 23, also by Joint Task Force Southern Spear. That action was carried out at the direction of Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, according to SOUTHCOM. In the January incident, officials said two narco-terrorists were killed and one individual survived the strike. SOUTHCOM stated that the US Coast Guard was immediately notified to activate its search-and-rescue system for the survivor following the engagement.


Earlier on December 4, US Southern Command also said Joint Task Force Southern Spear conducted a lethal kinetic strike on a narco-trafficking vessel in international waters that killed 4 people, at the direction of Hegseth. Intelligence confirmed the vessel, operated by a designated terrorist organization, was carrying illicit narcotics along a known route in the Eastern Pacific.

Since the Trump administration launched an ambitious raid to apprehend Maduro and transport him to New York to face drug trafficking charges, the US military has recently concentrated on seizing sanctioned oil tankers with ties to Venezuela.