Share and Follow
The United States military executed a deadly strike on a vessel suspected of drug trafficking in the Eastern Pacific on Friday, resulting in the deaths of two individuals believed to be narco-terrorists, as reported by U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM).
According to a statement released by SOUTHCOM, “On April 24, under the direction of SOUTHCOM commander Gen. Francis L. Donovan, Joint Task Force Southern Spear carried out a lethal kinetic strike on a vessel operated by Designated Terrorist Organizations.”
The statement further explained that intelligence had confirmed the vessel was navigating known drug-trafficking routes in the Eastern Pacific and was actively involved in drug-trafficking operations. “Two male narco-terrorists were killed during this action,” the statement added, noting that no U.S. military personnel were harmed.
Although the identities of the deceased and the specific organizations involved were not disclosed, the operation underscores ongoing efforts to combat drug trafficking in the region.
SOUTHCOM did not immediately provide additional details about the identities of those killed or the specific groups involved.
The U.S. military has carried out numerous strikes in recent months on suspected drug-smuggling vessels as part of a broader campaign to dismantle cartel-linked trafficking operations.
The strike comes less than a week after SOUTHCOM said it conducted a similar operation in the Caribbean, killing three suspected narco-terrorists.
(L/R) U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Gen. Francis L. Donovan and U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Joshua M. Rudd testify during a Senate Committee on Armed Services hearing on their nominations on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 15, 2026. (Brendan SMIALOWSKI/AFP via Getty Images)
Earlier this month, the military struck a suspected drug-trafficking vessel in the Eastern Pacific, killing four alleged narco-terrorists, SOUTHCOM said.
SOUTHCOM is responsible for military operations in Central and South America and the Caribbean, including counter-narcotics missions aimed at disrupting drug trafficking networks that threaten U.S. interests.
U.S. military operations targeting suspected drug-trafficking vessels continue under President Donald Trump. (Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images)
The Eastern Pacific remains a key corridor for narcotics trafficking, with cartels often using small, fast-moving vessels to transport drugs toward the U.S. and Central America.
<!–>
–>