US military strike destroys suspected drug trafficking vessel in eastern Pacific

The United States Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) has said that it carried out a lethal strike against a vessel allegedly involved in narcotics trafficking in the Eastern Pacific.

In a statement published on X, SOUTHCOM said the operation took place on April 15 under the direction of its commander Francis L. Donovan. The strike was conducted by Joint Task Force Southern Spear, Caliber.Az reports. 

On April 15, at the direction of #SOUTHCOM commander Gen. Francis L. Donovan, 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… pic.twitter.com/EaGDMHmpan

— U.S. Southern Command (@Southcom) April 16, 2026

According to the command, intelligence indicated the vessel was operated by designated terrorist organizations and was transiting along known drug-trafficking routes while actively engaged in narcotics smuggling activities.

SOUTHCOM said three individuals described as “narco-terrorists” were killed in the strike. It also confirmed that no U.S. military personnel were harmed during the operation.

US forces have increasingly targeted vessels believed to be transporting narcotics through maritime routes in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific. 

Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth has said the broader mission is intended to remove “narco-terrorists from our hemisphere” and protect the United States from “the drugs that are killing our people.”

The US government has not publicly presented evidence proving that the targeted boats were carrying narcotics. 

By Sabina Mammadli