U.S. strikes on alleged narcotrafficking vessels in the eastern Pacific and Caribbean left at least 11 people dead, according to U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The strikes were carried out late Monday at the direction of SOUTHCOM commander Gen. Francis L. Donovan and targeted three vessels the military said were operated by Designated Terrorist Organizations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIntelligence confirmed the vessels were transiting along known narco-trafficking routes and were engaged in narco-trafficking operations,\u201d the command said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
SOUTHCOM said eight “narco-terrorists” were killed in strikes on two vessels in the Eastern Pacific and three more were killed in a separate strike in the Caribbean.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The operations were part of a campaign known as Southern Spear, launched in September to target vessels allegedly linked to designated terrorist organizations involved in drug trafficking across the Caribbean and eastern Pacific.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Since the campaign began, at least 43 vessels have been struck, resulting in 140 deaths. Of those vessels, 30 were operating in the Pacific and 13 in the Caribbean.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The previous strike was reported Friday, when the command said it targeted a single vessel in the Caribbean, killing three people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Late on Feb. 16, at the direction of #SOUTHCOM<\/a> commander Gen. Francis L. Donovan, Joint Task Force Southern Spear conducted three lethal kinetic strikes on three vessels operated by Designated Terrorist Organizations. Intelligence confirmed the vessels were transiting along known\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/mib9XtptSB<\/a><\/p>— U.S. Southern Command (@Southcom) February 17, 2026<\/a><\/blockquote>