U.S. strike on alleged drug vessel in Eastern Pacific kills 2

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

The strike was carried out on April 13 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 Eastern Pacific and was engaged in narco-trafficking operations,” SOUTHCOM said in a statement.

The two people who were killed were described by the command as male narco-terrorists. SOUTHCOM said no U.S. military personnel were harmed.

The 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, 50 vessels have been struck, resulting in at least 168 deaths. Of those, 35 vessels were operating in the Pacific and 15 in the Caribbean.

Applying total systemic friction on the cartels. On April 13, 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… pic.twitter.com/zZQKEPiSoI

— U.S. Southern Command (@Southcom) April 13, 2026