U.S. strike kills 2 on alleged drug vessel in the Caribbean

A new U.S. military strike on an alleged drug vessel in the Caribbean has left two people dead, according to U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM).

The strike was carried out on Monday at the direction of SOUTHCOM commander Gen. Francis L. Donovan, who ordered Joint Task Force Southern Spear to target a vessel the command said was operated by Designated Terrorist Organizations.

“Intelligence confirmed the vessel was transiting along known narco-trafficking routes in the Caribbean and was engaged in narco-trafficking operations,” SOUTHCOM said.

Two people were killed in the strike. They were described by the command as male “narco-terrorists.”

The new strike was conducted as part of Operation Southern Spear, a campaign launched in September to target vessels allegedly linked to designated terrorist organizations involved in drug trafficking across the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific.

Since the campaign began, 56 vessels have been struck, resulting in at least 185 deaths. Of those, 39 vessels were operating in the Pacific and 17 in the Caribbean.

On May 4, at the direction of #SOUTHCOM commander Gen. Francis L. Donovan, Joint Task Force Southern Spear conducted a lethal kinetic strike on a vessel operated by Designated Terrorist Organizations. Intelligence confirmed the vessel was transiting along known narco-trafficking… pic.twitter.com/8S1feXpSiL

— U.S. Southern Command (@Southcom) May 5, 2026