U.S. military strike on drug vessel in Caribbean kills 3

A U.S. military strike on a suspected drug-trafficking vessel in the Caribbean has left three people dead, according to U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM).

The strike was carried out Monday at the direction of SOUTHCOM commander Gen. Francis L. Donovan and targeted a vessel the military said was operated by a Designated Terrorist Organization.

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

The three men who were killed were described by the command as “narco-terrorists.” SOUTHCOM said no U.S. personnel were injured.

The operation was conducted under 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, at least 45 vessels have been struck, resulting in 146 deaths, according to SOUTHCOM. Of those, 31 vessels were operating in the Pacific and 14 in the Caribbean.

Last week, the command reported separate strikes in the Eastern Pacific and the Caribbean targeting four vessels. At least 14 people were killed in those operations.

On Feb. 23, 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… pic.twitter.com/XUHImPAZik

— U.S. Southern Command (@Southcom) February 23, 2026