US Forces Strike Kills 2 Suspected Narco-Terrorists in Pacific

U.S. Military Strikes Alleged Drug Boat, Killing Two in Eastern Pacific

U.S. Forces conducted a lethal strike Thursday on a vessel allegedly operated by a designated terrorist organization in the Eastern Pacific, resulting in the deaths of two individuals. The operation, carried out by U.S. Southern Command (USSOUTHCOM), targeted a boat confirmed to be transiting along known narco-trafficking routes and engaged in related operations, according to a statement released by the command.

This marks the second such strike by the U.S. Military this year. A previous operation, also in the Eastern Pacific, resulted in two fatalities and one survivor, officials reported.

USSOUTHCOM stated the strike was directed by Commander Gen. Francis L. Donovan, who was sworn in Thursday at the Pentagon, succeeding acting commander U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Evan L. Pettus. “Together with our partner nations, we will continue to address shared challenges, uphold democratic values, and ensure a safe and prosperous future for the region,” Donovan said in a statement.

The U.S. Military has been actively targeting vessels suspected of smuggling narcotics through the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific since September. To date, at least 38 lethal strikes have been carried out, resulting in the deaths of at least 128 people. The pace of these operations has slowed since January 3rd, when Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro was captured by U.S. Forces and brought to the U.S. On charges including narco-terrorism conspiracy and cocaine importation conspiracy. Maduro has pleaded not guilty to all charges.

The Trump administration has justified these operations as part of a non-international armed conflict aimed at curbing the flow of drugs into the United States. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has stated the campaign, officially named Operation Southern Spear, is intended to remove “narco-terrorists from our hemisphere” and protect the U.S. From the devastating effects of drug trafficking.

However, the legality of these strikes has been questioned by some legal experts, who argue they may violate international law by targeting civilians without due process. Concerns have also been raised regarding a “double-tap” strike on an alleged Venezuelan drug boat in the Caribbean Sea on September 2nd.

The latest strike occurred shortly after President Donald Trump met with Colombian President Gustavo Petro, who has repeatedly criticized the operations, comparing them to war crimes and citing injuries and deaths of Colombian citizens as a result of previous strikes. Trump reportedly told reporters Tuesday that he and Petro discussed counternarcotics efforts, despite previously referring to Petro as a “drug leader.”

USSOUTHCOM’s announcement did not disclose the origin or destination of the vessel targeted in Thursday’s strike. The command shared a brief, unclassified video showing a boat exploding and bursting into flames. No U.S. Military forces were harmed during the operation.