The U.S. military announced on Thursday that it executed a strike against a ship believed to be involved in drug trafficking in the Eastern Pacific, resulting in the deaths of three individuals labeled as “narco-terrorists.” This information came from the US Southern Command (SOUTHCOM).
SOUTHCOM detailed that on June 18, following orders from Commander Gen. Francis L. Donovan, a joint task force launched a lethal attack on the vessel, which was linked to a designated terrorist outfit.
The statement indicated that intelligence sources confirmed the ship was operating along known drug-trafficking routes in the region and was actively involved in those activities.
While the military confirmed the deaths of the three individuals, it did not clarify if there were any survivors from the strike.
Notably, there were reported no injuries among U.S. military personnel due to this operation.
A brief video shared by SOUTHCOM showed the ship moving rapidly through the water before it erupted into flames, with subsequent footage appearing to show debris left in the water after the attack.
The specific location of the operation wasn’t disclosed other than it took place in established drug trafficking areas of the eastern Pacific.
This incident marks the latest action in an ongoing campaign by the Trump administration aimed at disrupting cartel-related human trafficking networks.
Since last September, U.S. military strikes against vessels in this region have resulted in at least 211 deaths, according to reports.
This latest strike followed an earlier announcement from SOUTHCOM that an airstrike had taken out one individual, also labeled a “narco-terrorist,” with two others reportedly surviving that attack.
In a recent statement, President Trump revealed that SOUTHCOM had executed a quick and lethal operation targeting Hector Rustenford Guerrero Flores, known as Niño Guerrero, who is believed to head the Torren de Aragua group. The U.S. State Department previously offered a reward of up to $5 million for information leading to his arrest or conviction.
Although the military has released videos and statements that connect the targeted vessels to designated terrorist organizations, detailed identification of these vessels or evidence of drug cargo has not been consistently provided.
This campaign has drawn attention and concern from lawmakers, legal experts, and human rights advocates, who question the justification for using lethal force against suspected traffickers outside standard combat zones.
The Eastern Pacific is recognized as a significant route for drug smuggling, with various criminal groups frequently using small vessels to transport narcotics toward North America.
SOUTHCOM has been a key component in the Trump administration’s intensified efforts against cartel-led human trafficking networks and international criminal entities.
