The U.S. Southern Command says a Friday strike ordered by Gen. Francis L. Donovan killed three alleged narco-terrorists aboard a suspected drug-smuggling vessel in the Eastern Pacific. SOUTHCOM described the target as a "vessel operated by designated terrorist organizations" and said intelligence showed it was on known trafficking routes. This was the fourth SOUTHCOM strike announced this week; U.S. officials say at least 42 strikes on suspected smuggling vessels have resulted in 147 reported deaths. SOUTHCOM reported no U.S. casualties in these operations.
U.S. Strike Kills Three on Suspected Drug-Smuggling Vessel in Eastern Pacific, SOUTHCOM Says
US military kills 3 in latest strike on a suspected drug vessel in the Pacific
The U.S. military says a strike in the Eastern Pacific killed three alleged narco-terrorists aboard a vessel suspected of being used for drug trafficking, the U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) announced.
The strike was carried out Friday at the direction of SOUTHCOM commander Gen. Francis L. Donovan and targeted what the command described as a "vessel operated by designated terrorist organizations." SOUTHCOM said intelligence indicated the vessel was transiting known narco-trafficking routes and engaged in illicit operations.
"Intelligence confirmed the vessel was transiting along known narco-trafficking routes in the Eastern Pacific and was engaged in narco-trafficking operations," SOUTHCOM said on X. "Three male narco-terrorists were killed during this action. No U.S. military forces were harmed."
This incident is the fourth SOUTHCOM-announced strike this week. According to U.S. officials, the United States has now conducted at least 42 strikes on suspected drug-smuggling vessels across the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific, operations that have resulted in 147 reported deaths.
Secretary of War Pete Hegseth recently said some cartel drug traffickers operating in the U.S. Southern Command area have halted narcotics activity after recent U.S. military strikes in the Caribbean.(Getty Images)
Earlier this week, SOUTHCOM said three separate strikes — two in the Eastern Pacific and one in the Caribbean — killed a total of 11 people (4, 4 and 3, respectively). SOUTHCOM reiterated that no American forces were harmed in these recent operations.
About SOUTHCOM
SOUTHCOM is responsible for U.S. military operations in Central and South America and the Caribbean, including counter-narcotics missions aimed at disrupting trafficking networks that the United States says threaten its national interests.
The command released its statement via social media and official channels; U.S. officials have emphasized the operations are intended to interrupt maritime drug shipments and the organizations that facilitate them.
Help us improve.
