US Military Strike Kills 3 in Eastern Pacific as Part of Anti-Drug Campaign

The latest operation under Joint Task Force Southern Spear highlights expanding use of lethal force against suspected cartel-linked vessels.

A still from a video footage shared by U.S. Southern Command of a suspected narco-terrorist boat transiting in the Eastern Pacific on April 14, 2026. SOUTHCOM via X

The U.S. military said it carried out a lethal strike on a vessel in the Eastern Pacific on April 15, as part of a campaign targeting maritime drug routes under the Trump administration.

In an April 16 post on X, the U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) said the targeted vessel was operated by designated terrorist organizations.