U.S. Military Strikes Narco-Terrorist Vessels in Eastern Pacific, Killing Five
WASHINGTON, D.C. — In a decisive move against narcotics trafficking, U.S. military forces conducted lethal strikes on two vessels operated by designated narco-terrorist organizations in the Eastern Pacific on December 18. The operation, led by Joint Task Force Southern Spear under the direction of Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, resulted in the deaths of five militants without any casualties on the U.S. side.
According to a statement from U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM), intelligence confirmed that the targeted vessels were transiting along known drug trafficking corridors and actively engaged in narcotics operations. The strikes took place in international waters, reflecting the U.S. commitment to disrupting illicit drug flows before they reach American shores.
Video footage released by SOUTHCOM shows one of the vessels engulfed in flames following the initial strike. The operation eliminated three militants aboard the first vessel and two on the second. The identities of those killed and the specific terrorist organizations involved have not been publicly disclosed by the Pentagon.
Joint Task Force Southern Spear was established to unify Navy, Coast Guard, intelligence, and special operations assets, enabling rapid responses to time-sensitive maritime targets. This strike marks the latest in a series of U.S. military actions aimed at dismantling narco-terrorist networks operating in the Eastern Pacific and the Caribbean.
Since September 2025, the U.S. has intensified efforts against groups such as Venezuela’s Tren de Aragua and Colombia’s Ejército de Liberación Nacional, which have been implicated in drug trafficking and related violence. The campaign began with a strike that killed 11 alleged members of Tren de Aragua and has since seen multiple successful operations targeting various vessels, including submersibles and high-speed boats.
The ongoing campaign is part of a broader initiative announced by the Trump administration earlier this month, known as the “Fentanyl Free America” plan. This strategy involves coordinated actions by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and military forces to curb the flow of illegal drugs, particularly fentanyl, into the United States.
Secretary Hegseth defended the recent strikes, emphasizing the administration’s firm stance against narco-terrorists. “While previous policies may have coddled terrorists, we take decisive action to eliminate them,” he stated.
The U.S. military’s continued presence and operations in the Eastern Pacific underscore its commitment to combating drug trafficking at the source. The U.S. Customs and Border Protection reports that drug interdiction efforts at sea are critical in reducing the volume of narcotics entering the country.
As the war on drugs evolves, the integration of military capabilities with law enforcement agencies remains a cornerstone of U.S. strategy. The Department of Defense’s collaboration with agencies such as the DEA and Coast Guard exemplifies a unified approach to confronting transnational criminal organizations.
Further operations are expected as intelligence continues to identify high-value targets along major drug routes. The U.S. government remains vigilant in its mission to protect national security and public health from the devastating impact of narcotics trafficking.
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