Additional Coverage:
- US military kills four alleged narco-terrorists in lethal strike on drug-trafficking vessel in Eastern Pacific (foxnews.com)
The U.S. military has conducted a deadly strike against a suspected drug-smuggling vessel in the Eastern Pacific, resulting in the deaths of four alleged narco-terrorists, U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) confirmed.
On April 14, under the orders of SOUTHCOM commander Gen. Francis L.
Donovan, Joint Task Force Southern Spear targeted a vessel linked to designated terrorist organizations. Intelligence indicated the boat was traveling along known narcotics trafficking routes and actively engaged in drug-smuggling operations, SOUTHCOM said in a statement on social media.
The operation resulted in the killing of four male suspects identified as narco-terrorists. No U.S. military personnel were injured during the strike.
While SOUTHCOM has not yet released further details about the identities of those killed or the specific groups involved, this strike follows a recent similar operation in the Eastern Pacific, where two suspected traffickers were also killed.
These actions are part of an ongoing campaign by U.S. forces to disrupt cartel-linked drug trafficking networks in Central and South America and the Caribbean. SOUTHCOM oversees military efforts in the region, including counter-narcotics missions aimed at protecting U.S. national security interests.
In related efforts, the U.S. Coast Guard recently seized over 4,500 pounds of cocaine valued at $34 million from a suspected narco-terrorist vessel during Easter operations.
This sustained military focus underscores the commitment to dismantling drug trafficking routes that pose significant threats across the Western Hemisphere.