The U.S. Southern Command revealed on Monday that American forces executed “lethal” strikes against several vessels linked to recognized terrorist groups, resulting in the deaths of at least eight individuals identified as narco-terrorists.

“On December 15, following an order from Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, Joint Task Force Southern Spear carried out lethal kinetic strikes on three vessels affiliated with Designated Terrorist Organizations in international waters,” the U.S. Southern Command stated in an announcement on social media platform, X.

According to reports, intelligence had picked up on unusual activities in the Eastern Pacific region, where these vessels were navigating routes notoriously used for drug trafficking.

“Intelligence confirmed that these vessels were moving along well-known narco-trafficking routes in the Eastern Pacific and were actively involved in drug smuggling,” the command unit reported.

The strikes were authorized by U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, as confirmed by SOUTHCOM.

“A total of eight male narco-terrorists were killed during these actions—three in the first vessel, two in the second and three in the third,” the unit added. A total of 94 alleged narco-terrorists have been killed since the operation began.

Surveillance footage shows a massive explosion after U.S. forces strike a vessel reportedly operated by Designated Terrorist Organizations. ( U.S. Southern Command)

The U.S. has conducted dozens of strikes on suspected drug-trafficking vessels in the Eastern Pacific and Caribbean to dismantle narco-terrorist networks, targeting groups such as Venezuela’s Tren de Aragua and Colombia’s Ejército de Liberación Nacional.

The campaign began Sept. 2 with a strike that killed 11 alleged members of Tren de Aragua, followed by additional operations that reportedly eliminated dozens more across known trafficking routes.

A vessel operated by designated terrorist organizations before getting struck by U.S. forces in the Eastern Pacific. ( U.S. Southern Command)

U.S. forces have reportedly hit various types of vessels including submersibles, fishing boats and high-speed vessels.

Earlier this month, the Trump administration launched its “Fentanyl Free America” plan, with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) reporting that strikes on suspected Caribbean drug vessels are helping curb the flow of illegal drugs into the U.S.