US military releases footage after Pacific strike on suspected drug boat VIDEO

The US Department of Defense has released dramatic footage showing the destruction of a suspected drug‑trafficking boat in the eastern Pacific Ocean, part of an ongoing military campaign against maritime narcotics operations. The US military said two alleged traffickers were killed in the January 23 strike, while the US Coast Guard is searching for a third survivor.

“Intelligence confirmed the vessel was transiting along known narco‑trafficking routes in the Eastern Pacific and was engaged in narco‑trafficking operations,” the US Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) said in a post on X, sharing footage of a multi‑engined boat being destroyed by an explosion, Caliber.Az reports.

On Jan. 23, at the direction of @SecWar Pete Hegseth, Joint Task Force Southern Spear conducted a lethal kinetic strike on a vessel operated by Designated Terrorist Organizations. Intelligence confirmed the vessel was transiting along known narco-trafficking routes in the Eastern… pic.twitter.com/BzeBBapfMQ

— U.S. Southern Command (@Southcom) January 23, 2026

Three individuals were visible in the footage before the strike, SOUTHCOM added, noting that it “immediately” notified the Coast Guard to locate the surviving person.

The operation is part of a campaign initiated by the Trump administration in early September targeting alleged smuggling vessels, with officials claiming the United States is effectively at war with alleged “narco‑terrorists” operating from Venezuela. However, the administration has not publicly provided definitive evidence that the boats were involved in drug trafficking, prompting debate over the legality of such strikes.

International law experts and rights groups have criticized the operations, warning they may constitute extrajudicial killings, as the vessels appear to have targeted civilians who do not pose an immediate threat to the United States.

This strike marks the first reported lethal operation since late last year and the first since US forces seized Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro in a high-profile raid on Caracas earlier this month, bringing him and his wife to the United States to face trial.

On the same day, the US also announced that General Dan Caine, the country’s top military officer, will host defence leaders from 34 nations in Washington on February 11 “to build shared understanding of common security priorities and strengthen regional cooperation.”

“Participating defence leaders will explore the importance of strong partnerships, continued cooperation, and united efforts to counter criminal and terrorist organisations, as well as external actors undermining regional security and stability,” Caine’s office said in a statement.

By Vafa Guliyev