U.S. forces have conducted a recent “lethal kinetic attack” on a drug-trafficking vessel in the Caribbean, resulting in the deaths of two men, referred to as narco-terrorists, as announced by the U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) on Monday.
This strike marks the first of its kind reported in May as part of Operation Southern Spear, a counterterrorism initiative launched by the Army late in 2025. The operation aims to identify, disrupt, and undermine transnational criminal groups and their illicit drug activities affecting the U.S.
SOUTHCOM shared an official statement indicating that the operation was executed by the Joint Task Force Southern Spear under the leadership of Gen. Francis L. Donovan.
“Intelligence has verified that the vessel was navigating established drug trafficking routes in the Caribbean and was actively engaged in drug trafficking,” the statement noted. “Two male narco-terrorists were eliminated in this action, with no U.S. personnel injured.”
Late Monday night, SOUTHCOM released a short, unclassified video of the strike via a social media post.
Since September, Operation Southern Spear has resulted in numerous military actions against drug-trafficking vessels in Caribbean and eastern Pacific waters, leading to the deaths of at least 188 drug traffickers. Recently, three narco-terrorists were killed in another operation targeting a drug-trafficking vessel in the eastern Pacific.
U.S. Secretary of the Army Pete Hegseth mentioned in March that the Operation Southern Spear offensive has successfully reestablished deterrence against narco-terrorist cartels that have been responsible for supplying dangerous drugs to Americans.
“Last month [February 2026], we went for weeks without targeting a single vessel. Why? Well, because they were hard to find. But, most importantly, we are working to instill a deterrent against these narco-terrorists who have been operating almost without restriction,” Secretary Hegseth stated.
Besides targeting drug trafficking on the high seas across the Western Hemisphere, Operation Southern Spear has also collaborated with international partners to successfully intercept six oil tankers unlawfully transporting oil under U.S. sanctions. This latest action struck at the financial capabilities of criminal organizations and U.S.-designated terrorist entities that aim to destabilize the Western Hemisphere and jeopardize U.S. security.
Admiral Donovan stated in April, “The Joint Task Force Southern Spear remains committed to finding, destroying, and dismantling narco-terrorism networks. In alignment with the President’s directives, the U.S. Coast Guard Maritime Security Response Team and U.S. Marine Corps Special Purpose Units continue to assist with maritime operations targeting adversarial fleets that pose a threat globally.”
