US strike kills three on suspected drug boat in Eastern Pacific

U.S. Southern Command announced that Joint Task Force Southern Spear carried out a lethal kinetic strike on a fast boat in the Eastern Pacific, alleging the vessel was used for illicit drug trafficking along a known route. The operation, directed by Gen. Francis L. Donovan, killed three men described by the command as “narco‑terrorists,” while another report said one man died and two survived. The strike was part of a campaign that began in September 2025 targeting speedboats linked to narcotics shipments from Latin America to the United States. Critics have questioned the legality of such extrajudicial attacks, citing concerns from NGOs and UN officials.

The command posted a brief video of the boat being hit and exploding, and said the U.S. Coast Guard was alerted to initiate rescue efforts immediately after the strike.