US forces kill two in strike on suspected drug traffickers’ vessel in Pacific

The US military has carried out another strike on a suspected drug traffickers' vessel in the Pacific Ocean as part of its ongoing anti-narcotics campaign, killing two people.

According to a statement by the US Army’s Southern Command, the attack was conducted by the Joint Task Force “Southern Spear” on the orders of Southern Command commander General Francis Donovan. Intelligence assessments confirmed that the targeted vessel was travelling along known drug trafficking routes in the eastern Pacific Ocean and was involved in narcotics smuggling operations.

Southern Command said no US military personnel were injured during the operation.

This marked the latest incident in a series of strikes carried out under Operation “Southern Spear,” which was launched in the fall of 2025. The operation, according to the administration of US President Donald Trump, is aimed at disrupting illegal drug trafficking networks in the region. Since the campaign began, more than 115 people have been killed.

Earlier, in late January, US forces struck another suspected drug traffickers’ vessel in the Pacific Ocean on the orders of Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth, resulting in two deaths. Previous attacks have also caused multiple casualties. On November 10, six people were killed when US forces targeted suspected smuggling vessels in the eastern Pacific Ocean. On December 31, a strike on three vessels in the same region killed five people.

The intensified military campaign follows a decision by President Donald Trump in early August last year to authorise US forces to use direct force against Latin American drug cartels, particularly those linked to Venezuela. The move significantly escalated tensions between the US and Venezuela, as well as Colombia.

On January 3, US special forces captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in Caracas. He was later transported to New York, where he is expected to stand trial, including on charges related to drug trafficking.

The strike carried out on January 23, which also left two people dead, was the first such attack following Maduro’s overthrow and transfer to the US.

By Tamilla Hasanova