In a significant military operation, United States forces executed a targeted kinetic strike on a vessel in the eastern Pacific Ocean this Friday, resulting in two fatalities. The operation, directed by Joint Task Force Southern Spear under the command of Pete Hegseth, targeted a boat allegedly operated by Designated Terrorist Organizations engaged in narcotics trafficking.
According to the US Southern Command (SOUTHCOM), the strike left one survivor, prompting immediate coordination with the US Coast Guard to initiate search and rescue operations for the individual. The military command confirmed the operation through an official statement on social media platform X, characterizing the action as part of ongoing counter-narcotics efforts in the region.
The incident represents the latest in a series of US military interventions against suspected drug trafficking operations in international waters. These operations typically target vessels believed to be transporting illicit substances from South America toward North American markets. The eastern Pacific route has become increasingly significant for drug trafficking organizations seeking to evade land-based interdiction efforts.
CNN has sought additional commentary from the US Coast Guard regarding the search and rescue mission’s status and details about the surviving individual. The military’s public disclosure of the operation underscores the continued prioritization of counter-narcotics missions in US security policy, particularly concerning organizations designated as terrorist entities engaged in drug trafficking.