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United States military forces executed a deadly operation against a ship believed to be linked to recognized terrorist groups in the Eastern Pacific. This mission, as confirmed by U.S. Southern Command (USSOUTHCOM), aimed at disrupting an ongoing drug trafficking network.
The directive for the strike was issued by SOUTHCOM Commander Gen. Francis L. Donovan. This decision came after intelligence verified that the vessel was navigating established drug smuggling routes in the Eastern Pacific.
The craft, suspected of engaging in narcotics trafficking, was a low-profile vessel frequently referred to as a “narco sub.” These vessels are specifically built to avoid detection and are commonly utilized for transporting drugs from South America to regions such as Central America or Mexico.
Footage released by the U.S. Southern Command captured the vessel in transit prior to the strike.
Video showed the boat traveling before the strike. (U.S. Southern Command)
Three suspected narco-terrorists survived the strike, and USSOUTHCOM said it had immediately notified the U.S. Coast Guard to activate the search and rescue system for the survivors.Â
It is unclear how many people died in the attack. No U.S. military forces were harmed, according to officials.
Video showed a bright flash during the kinetic strike. (U.S. Southern Command)
The strike comes weeks after the Pentagon carried out a lethal strike on a vessel allegedly carrying suspected narco-traffickers in the Eastern Pacific, killing six people on board.
The March 8 strike was also ordered by Donovan, who took over SOUTHCOM in January.
Six men on the ship were killed, but no U.S. forces died in the attack.
Video showed the boat after the strike. (U.S. Southern Command)
At least 156 people have been killed in alleged drug smuggling ship strikes ordered by the Trump administration, according to The New York Times.