The US Southern Command confirmed this week that eight individuals were killed during maritime counter-narcotics operations in international waters of the eastern Pacific Ocean. According to official statements, five vessels suspected of drug trafficking were destroyed across two days of military engagements.
Joint Task Force Southern Spear conducted what it described as "kinetic strikes" under the direction of Secretary of War Pete Hegseth. Three vessels allegedly operated by designated terrorist organizations were targeted on Monday, with three fatalities reported. Two additional vessels were struck on Wednesday, resulting in five more deaths.
"The remaining narco-terrorists abandoned the other two vessels, jumping overboard and distancing themselves before follow-on engagements sank their respective vessels," the command stated in its operational update. Military officials emphasized the missions targeted vessels in international waters beyond any national jurisdiction.
While the command characterized the operations as part of ongoing counter-narcotics efforts, the incidents raise questions about maritime security protocols and the escalation of military-led drug interdiction strategies. No information was provided about the nationalities of those killed or the types of vessels involved.
