U.S. strike on alleged drug vessel in the Eastern Pacific leaves 6 dead

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

The strike was carried out Sunday at the direction of SOUTHCOM commander Gen. Francis L. Donovan and targeted a vessel the military said was operated by Designated Terrorist Organizations, according to a statement by the command.

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

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

The operation 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, at least 46 vessels have been struck, resulting in 157 deaths. Of those, 32 vessels were operating in the Pacific and 14 in the Caribbean.

On March 8, 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/hIXMDeDKK5

— U.S. Southern Command (@Southcom) March 9, 2026