The United States Southern Command confirmed on December 15, 2023, that it conducted lethal strikes against vessels linked to designated terrorist organizations in the Eastern Pacific, resulting in the deaths of at least eight narco-terrorists. This operation was executed under the directive of Secretary of War Pete Hegseth and involved the Joint Task Force Southern Spear.
According to a release from the U.S. Southern Command, intelligence indicated suspicious activities along known narco-trafficking routes in international waters. The command stated, “Intelligence confirmed that the vessels were transiting along known narco-trafficking routes in the Eastern Pacific and were engaged in narco-trafficking.” The strikes targeted three vessels, killing three individuals on the first vessel, two on the second, and three on the third.
Since the inception of this operation, a total of 94 alleged narco-terrorists have been reported killed. This ongoing campaign has seen U.S. forces carry out numerous strikes against suspected drug-trafficking vessels in both the Eastern Pacific and the Caribbean. These efforts aim to dismantle narco-terrorist networks linked to groups such as Venezuela’s Tren de Aragua and Colombia’s Ejército de Liberación Nacional.
The operation began on September 2, 2023, with a significant strike that resulted in the deaths of 11 alleged members of Tren de Aragua. Following this initial engagement, additional operations have reportedly neutralized dozens more individuals across established trafficking routes. U.S. military actions have targeted a range of vessels, including submersibles, fishing boats, and high-speed craft.
Earlier this month, the Trump administration announced the “Fentanyl Free America” initiative, emphasizing the importance of these strikes in curtailing the flow of illegal drugs into the U.S. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) reported that such operations have had a measurable impact on disrupting drug trafficking activities.
U.S. Southern Command continues to monitor these routes closely, with the objective of enhancing regional security and reducing the influence of narco-terrorist organizations in the Americas.