Washington, D.C.-U.S. military forces carried out lethal kinetic strikes on two vessels linked to designated terrorist organizations involved in narcotics trafficking, killing five suspected narco‑terrorists, U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) confirmed.
The operation was ordered by Secretary of War Pete Hegseth and executed by Joint Task Force Southern Spear, a unit focused on countering maritime drug trafficking and terrorist networks in the Caribbean Sea and Eastern Pacific Ocean.
Intelligence confirmed the two vessels were moving along known narco‑trafficking routes and actively engaged in smuggling operations at the time of the strikes.
According to the press release, three suspects were killed aboard the first vessel and two on the second during the Dec. 31 operation.
SOUTHCOM identified the actions as part of its ongoing efforts to disrupt the nexus between terrorism and illicit drug trafficking.
Footage released by SOUTHCOM shows the strikes taking place in international waters, though officials have not disclosed exact locations or further details about the targeted groups.
On Dec. 31, at the direction of @SecWar Pete Hegseth, Joint Task Force Southern Spear conducted a lethal kinetic strike on two vessels operated by Designated Terrorist Organizations. Intelligence confirmed the vessels were transiting along known narco-trafficking routes and
Background on Operation Southern Spear
The strikes are part of Operation Southern Spear, a U.S. military initiative launched in September 2025 to interdict drug smuggling operations at sea and weaken transnational criminal networks.
The long‑running campaign has included multiple boat strikes in international waters, with U.S. forces targeting vessels believed to be transporting illegal narcotics and connected to terrorist or cartel organizations.
The broader operation has drawn international attention as part of a U.S. push to curb drug flows into the United States and pressure cartel networks allegedly operating in coordination with regime‑linked entities, including Venezuelan groups designated as terrorist organizations.
SOUTHCOM continues to monitor narco‑trafficking corridors and coordinate with allied maritime forces to prevent the spread of terrorism‑linked drug smuggling throughout the region.