US military launches deadly strike on drug-trafficking vessel in the Pacific, leaving 2 dead and 1 survivor

The United States Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) announced Monday that the U.S. military carried out an operation targeting a suspected drug-trafficking vessel in the Eastern Pacific, leaving two people dead and one survivor.

“On Feb. 9, 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,” the joint command said in a post on X.

Following the strike, the unit said it immediately notified the U.S. Coast Guard to activate a search-and-rescue system for the lone survivor who escaped the lethal attack. 

Aerial footage released by the agency shows a vessel halting shortly after getting struck by the weapon. 

US FORCES KILL TWO SUSPECTED NARCO-TERRORISTS IN EASTERN PACIFIC LETHAL STRIKE OPERATION
 

The U.S. Southern Command conducted a fatal strike Monday targeting a vessel operated by Designated Terrorist Organizations.  (SOUTHCOM)

“Intelligence confirmed the vessel was transiting along known narco-trafficking routes in the Eastern Pacific and was engaged in narco-trafficking operations,” the unit said. 

Monday’s strike marks the third U.S. attack this year since the campaign began last September.

The U.S. has carried out dozens of strikes in the Eastern Pacific and Caribbean to dismantle narco-terrorist networks operated by designated terrorist organizations, including Venezuela’s Tren de Aragua and Colombia’s Ejército de Liberación Nacional.

U.S. Southern Command said military forces detected suspicious activity along known narco-trafficking routes in the Eastern Pacific.  (SOUTHCOM)

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Last Thursday, U.S. forces killed two suspected narco-terrorists in a similar “lethal kinetic strike” targeting a vessel officials said was operated by a designated terrorist organization. 

In January, U.S. forces again killed two more and left one lone survivor who escaped the attack.  

A vessel officials said was transiting along known narco-trafficking routes was targeted in a lethal kinetic strike on Feb. 9, 2026.  (SOUTHCOM)

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SOUTHCOM, which is responsible for military operations in Central America, South America and the Caribbean, has reportedly targeted a range of vessels, including submersibles, fishing boats and high-speed vessels in the past six months.