The United States Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) confirmed on Monday a new lethal kinetic attack against a vessel allegedly linked to drug trafficking in international waters of the eastern Pacific, as part of Operation Southern Spear .
According to the official statement, released alongside a video of the operation, the action was carried out on February 9 by the Joint Task Force Southern Spear, under the leadership of SOUTHCOM commander, General Francis L. Donovan.
U.S. intelligence confirmed that the vessel was traveling through well-known drug trafficking routes and was actively involved in illegal operations.
The attack left two alleged "narcoterrorists" dead, while a third crew member survived. Following the military action, Southern Command immediately alerted the United States Coast Guard, which activated the search and rescue system to locate and assist the survivor.
With this new operation, the total number of deaths has risen to at least 130 people, in 38 confirmed attacks against vessels in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific since the start of the campaign, according to counts based on official statements from the Pentagon.
The operation takes place amidst a sustained escalation of military actions ordered by the administration of President Donald Trump, who has declared a direct offensive against organizations that Washington classifies as transnational narcoterrorists.
U.S. authorities assert that these actions aim to disrupt drug trafficking sea routes and exert deterrence through force.
However, the campaign has raised increasing legal questions, with experts and human rights organizations denouncing the absence of judicial processes and the lack of conclusive public evidence regarding the shipments of the attacked vessels.
Despite the criticism, Southern Command insists that Southern Spear will continue as part of its strategy to protect regional security and U.S. territory.
Filed under: