U.S. Strike on Suspected Drug-Smuggling Boat Kills Two, Leaves One Survivor

The U.S. military said it carried out a "lethal kinetic strike" on a small vessel in the eastern Pacific on Feb. 9, killing two people and leaving one survivor, U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) reported.

SOUTHCOM said the three-person boat was struck after intelligence indicated it was transiting known narco‑trafficking routes and was engaged in narcotics operations. The command released an 11‑second black‑and‑white clip that shows a boat speeding across open water before its rear engine bursts into flames; the vessel appears to be struck a second time, producing another explosion and causing the boat to lose speed dramatically.

Command and rescue response

SOUTHCOM said the action was carried out on Feb. 9 at the direction of SOUTHCOM Commander Gen. Francis L. Donovan and executed by Joint Task Force Southern Spear. The command notified the U.S. Coast Guard about the survivor; a Coast Guard spokesman told UPI that Ecuador's Maritime Rescue Coordination Center (MRCCE) has assumed coordination of search‑and‑rescue operations, with the Coast Guard providing technical support.

Context and controversy

Monday's strike is the third publicly acknowledged U.S. boat strike this year, following operations on Jan. 23 and last Thursday. U.S. officials say the Trump administration's campaign — conducted under Joint Task Force Southern Spear since the fall — aims to interdict vessels linked to narco‑trafficking and to target boats operated by groups the administration has designated as terrorist organizations.

Since Sept. 2, there have been 38 known strikes the administration says targeted vessels tied to narcotics trafficking; at least 130 people have been killed in those operations. The campaign has drawn domestic and international criticism, including allegations of extrajudicial killings. SOUTHCOM has not publicly provided independent evidence linking this specific vessel to any designated terrorist organization.

Survivors and searches

There have been only two known survivors among dozens of strikes before this incident. A search‑and‑rescue effort for a reported third survivor from a separate strike last week was later suspended.

What remains unclear

Key details have not been released publicly, including forensic evidence tying the vessel to narcotics shipments or to designated criminal organizations. UPI has contacted the MRCCE for comment.

Note: SOUTHCOM posted a brief video and a social media notice about the operation but provided limited additional public information.