U.S. strike on alleged drug vessel in the Pacific kills 1, leaves 2 survivors

The U.S. military has carried out a new strike on an alleged drug vessel in the Eastern Pacific, killing one person and leaving two survivors, according to U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM).

The strike was carried out on Tuesday 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.

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

One man was killed in the strike. SOUTHCOM described him as a “narco-terrorist.”

Two people survived the strike, according to the command. SOUTHCOM said it immediately notified the U.S. Coast Guard after the engagement to activate the search and rescue system for the survivors.

The strike was conducted as 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.

Since the campaign began, 59 vessels have been struck, resulting in at least 191 deaths. Of those, 42 vessels were operating in the Pacific and 17 in the Caribbean.

On May 5, 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/CmK9HVK0oG

— U.S. Southern Command (@Southcom) May 6, 2026