The seventh attack this month, fourth this week

WASHINGTON — The US Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) has confirmed that three men were killed in an attack targeting a vessel suspected of transporting drugs in the Eastern Pacific. This marks the fourth attack this week and the seventh this month carried out by US military forces.

According to SOUTHCOM's official statement, the "lethal kinetic strike" was carried out by Joint Task Force Southern Spear, targeting a "vessel operated by designated terrorist organizations."

SOUTHCOM stated that intelligence confirmed the vessel was traveling along known drug trafficking routes in the Eastern Pacific and was involved in drug smuggling operations. Three men identified as "narco-terrorists" were killed. No US service members were reported injured.

Video Captures Moment Vessel Catches Fire After Strike

A 16-second video released by SOUTHCOM shows a single strike accurately hitting its target, after which the suspected drug vessel erupted in flames on the water.

147 Fatalities in 42 Attacks This Month Alone

According to Fox News, this month alone, the United States has conducted at least 42 attacks targeting suspected drug smuggling vessels in the Caribbean Sea and the Eastern Pacific, resulting in a total of 147 deaths.

Earlier this week, SOUTHCOM confirmed three separate attacks on February 16 in the Eastern Pacific and the Caribbean, which resulted in 11 deaths:

  • 4 people on the first vessel in the Eastern Pacific.
  • 4 people on the second vessel in the Eastern Pacific.
  • 3 people on the third vessel in the Caribbean Sea.

Part of Trump Administration's Enhanced Anti-Drug Military Strategy

According to The Guardian, these military operations are part of President Donald Trump's administration's plan to increase military presence in the region to curb transnational drug trafficking.

SOUTHCOM is the command responsible for military operations, including counter-drug missions, in Central America, South America, and the Caribbean. Military officials emphasized that all recent operations have reported no casualties on the part of US forces.