The US military has carried out a lethal strike on an alleged drug-trafficking vessel in the eastern Pacific Ocean, killing two people and leaving one survivor, according to US Southern Command.
The operation, conducted on Friday, is the first known attack on suspected drug boats since the capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro on January 3. US Southern Command said the strike was carried out by Joint Task Force Southern Spear under the direction of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
“On Jan. 23, Joint Task Force Southern Spear conducted a lethal kinetic strike on a vessel operated by Designated Terrorist Organizations,” Southern Command said in a statement posted on X. The military claimed the vessel was actively involved in narcotics trafficking. The US Coast Guard was notified to begin search and rescue operations for the sole survivor.
Footage released alongside the statement showed grainy aerial images of a boat moving through the water before erupting into a fireball following the strike.
On Jan. 23, at the direction of @SecWar Pete Hegseth, Joint Task Force Southern Spear conducted a lethal kinetic strike on a vessel operated by Designated Terrorist Organizations. Intelligence confirmed the vessel was transiting along known narco-trafficking routes in the Eastern… pic.twitter.com/BzeBBapfMQ
— U.S. Southern Command (@Southcom) January 23, 2026
The incident forms part of Operation Southern Spear, a US campaign launched in September targeting suspected drug-smuggling routes in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific. According to reports and White House announcements, at least 36 such strikes have been carried out since early September, with a reported death toll of at least 117 people. The majority of the attacks have occurred in Caribbean waters.
The most recent strikes prior to Friday took place in late December, when the US military said it hit five suspected drug boats over two days, killing eight people. In those incidents, some occupants reportedly jumped overboard, and the Coast Guard later suspended search efforts.
US President Donald Trump has repeatedly claimed the campaign is significantly disrupting drug trafficking routes in the region.
Still trying to legitimize murder and piracy….with more of the same………So much for due process.
They could always let it land and give them big hugs.
Due process is for citizens.
https://news-pravda.com/world/2026/01/24/2029553.html
murdering its own as well