US forces kill five in strikes on suspected narco-trafficking boats

The U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) said that American forces carried out two lethal strikes against vessels it described as being operated by designated terrorist organizations in the Eastern Pacific, killing five people in total.

In a statement on X, U.S. Southern Command said the operation was conducted on April 11 under the direction of its commander, Francis L. Donovan, as part of what it called a campaign of “total systemic friction” against drug cartels, Caliber.Az reports.

Applying total systemic friction on the cartels.

On April 11, at the direction of #SOUTHCOM commander Gen. Francis L. Donovan, Joint Task Force Southern Spear conducted two lethal kinetic strikes on two vessels operated by Designated Terrorist Organizations. Intelligence… pic.twitter.com/sRXTFYCWXu

— U.S. Southern Command (@Southcom) April 12, 2026

According to SOUTHCOM, Joint Task Force Southern Spear carried out two “lethal kinetic strikes” on vessels moving along known narcotics trafficking routes in the Eastern Pacific Ocean.

The command said intelligence had confirmed the boats were engaged in narcotics trafficking operations and linked to designated terrorist organizations.

SOUTHCOM said two men were killed in the first strike, while one man survived. Three additional men were killed in a second strike.

Following the incidents, the U.S. Coast Guard was notified to activate search-and-rescue procedures for the survivor, the statement added.

No U.S. military personnel were injured in either operation, SOUTHCOM said.

By Aghakazim Guliyev