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

The U.S. military has carried out another strike on an alleged drug vessel in the Eastern Pacific, killing two men, according to U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM).

The strike was carried out on Wednesday at the direction of SOUTHCOM commander Gen. Francis L. Donovan. Joint Task Force Southern Spear targeted a vessel the command said was operated by Designated Terrorist Organizations.

SOUTHCOM said intelligence confirmed the vessel was moving along known narco-trafficking routes in the Eastern Pacific and was involved in drug trafficking operations.

Two men were killed in the strike. SOUTHCOM described both of them as “narco-terrorists.” No U.S. military forces were harmed.

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

The operation has now resulted in at least 60 vessels struck, killing at least 193 people. Of those, 43 vessels were operating in the Pacific and 17 in the Caribbean.

On May 27, 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/qKvSjxpk3P

— U.S. Southern Command (@Southcom) May 28, 2026