US strikes suspected drug trafficking vessel in Eastern Pacific

The United States Southern Command said its forces carried out a strike against a vessel suspected of involvement in drug trafficking operations in the Eastern Pacific.

In a statement posted on X, the command said the operation was conducted on April 13 by Joint Task Force Southern Spear under the direction of its commander, Francis L. Donovan, Caliber.Az reports.

Applying total systemic friction on the cartels. On April 13, 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… pic.twitter.com/zZQKEPiSoI

— U.S. Southern Command (@Southcom) April 13, 2026

The vessel was identified through intelligence as operating along known narcotics trafficking routes and allegedly linked to groups designated by the United States as terrorist organisations.

According to the statement, two individuals described as “narco-terrorists” were killed in the strike. No U.S. personnel were reported injured.

By Sabina Mammadli