U.S. military says 5 killed in strikes on drug vessels in the Eastern Pacific

The U.S. military said it carried out new lethal strikes against two vessels operated by designated terrorist organizations in the Eastern Pacific, according to U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM). Five people were killed.

The strikes took place on Thursday in international waters in the Eastern Pacific, according to SOUTHCOM. The command said the action was conducted by Joint Task Force Southern Spear at the direction of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.

In a statement, SOUTHCOM said the two vessels were “operated by Designated Terrorist Organizations” and were transiting along “known narco-trafficking routes in the Eastern Pacific.” The military said intelligence confirmed the vessels were engaged in narco-trafficking operations.

SOUTHCOM said five male narco-terrorists were killed during the strikes, with three killed aboard the first vessel and two aboard the second vessel. The command said no U.S. military personnel were harmed.

On Wednesday, the U.S. military announced a separate strike in the Eastern Pacific targeting an alleged drug trafficking vessel, in which four male “narco-terrorists” were killed.

At least 29 maritime strikes across the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific have taken place since the operation was launched in September, resulting in a total of 104 deaths.

Based on confirmed operations announced by the command, 18 of the targeted vessels were operating in the Pacific and 11 were operating in the Caribbean.

On Dec. 18, at the direction of @SecWar Pete Hegseth, Joint Task Force Southern Spear conducted lethal kinetic strikes on two vessels operated by Designated Terrorist Organizations in international waters. Intelligence confirmed that the vessels were transiting along known… pic.twitter.com/CcCyOgYRto

— U.S. Southern Command (@Southcom) December 19, 2025