The United States Southern Command announced on December 15 that it conducted lethal strikes against vessels operated by designated terrorist organizations in the Eastern Pacific, resulting in the deaths of at least eight narco-terrorists. The operation was carried out by the Joint Task Force Southern Spear under the direction of Secretary of War Pete Hegseth.
According to a statement from U.S. Southern Command, intelligence detected suspicious activities along known narco-trafficking routes in international waters. The command confirmed that the targeted vessels were involved in narco-trafficking activities. “A total of eight male narco-terrorists were killed during these actions—three in the first vessel, two in the second, and three in the third,” the statement revealed.
Since the commencement of the operation, a total of 94 alleged narco-terrorists have been eliminated. The U.S. has conducted numerous strikes targeting suspected drug-trafficking vessels in both the Eastern Pacific and the Caribbean. These actions aim to dismantle narco-terrorist networks associated with groups such as Venezuela’s Tren de Aragua and Colombia’s Ejército de Liberación Nacional.
The campaign began on September 2, 2023, with a strike that resulted in the deaths of 11 alleged members of Tren de Aragua. Following that initial operation, additional strikes have reportedly led to the elimination of dozens more individuals involved in narco-trafficking along established routes.
U.S. forces have targeted a variety of vessels, including submersibles, fishing boats, and high-speed crafts. This ongoing campaign reflects a broader strategy to combat drug trafficking and its associated violence.
Earlier this month, the administration also unveiled its “Fentanyl Free America” plan, which emphasizes the need to curb the flow of illegal drugs into the United States. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) noted that operations against suspected Caribbean drug vessels contribute significantly to these efforts. As the U.S. intensifies its focus on narco-terrorism, the recent strikes serve as a reminder of the government’s commitment to tackling drug-related crime and its far-reaching impacts.
This latest development underscores the ongoing challenges posed by narco-terrorism and the persistent efforts of U.S. forces to address this pressing issue.
