U.S. Southern Command Conducts Lethal Kinetic Strike on Narco-Trafficking Vessel in Eastern Pacific

EASTERN PACIFIC - U.S. Southern Command authorized Joint Task Force Southern Spear to execute a lethal kinetic strike on February 9, targeting a vessel operated by designated terrorist organizations involved in narco-trafficking, resulting in two fatalities and one survivor who triggered a U.S. Coast Guard search and rescue response.

Intelligence verified the vessel navigated established smuggling paths in international waters. This incident follows previous operations, including strikes on February 5, January 23, and several in December, within heightened counter-narcotics campaigns.

​Meanwhile, U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Seneca captured over 18,000 pounds of cocaine in a single week, aiding a benchmark of more than 200,000 pounds seized under Operation Pacific Viper. U.S. Navy and Marine Corps aviation personnel on USS San Antonio performed drills in the Caribbean Sea to bolster readiness, backing Operation Southern Spear goals for protecting the homeland.

​The strike under General Francis L. Donovan’s command confirmed no impact on U.S. personnel. The vessel descended after the action, with intelligence affirming its participation in narcotics conveyance.

Vessel Details

Intelligence categorized the aimed vessel as a low-profile model typically linked to narco-trafficking, functioning in international waters absent revealed IMO or MMSI markers.

Information from commercial AIS systems, such as MarineTraffic and VesselFinder, discloses increased operations along Eastern Pacific paths, incorporating signal breaks in similar initiatives. Documents from U.S. Coast Guard and pertinent flag-state bodies record patterns entailing unregistered or flagged vessels in these pursuits.

Official Statements

• On Feb. 9, 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 routes in the Eastern Pacific and was engaged in narco-trafficking operations. Two narco-terrorists were killed and one survived the strike. Following the engagement, USSOUTHCOM immediately notified U.S. Coast Guard to activate the Search and Rescue system for the survivor. (U.S. Southern Command, February 9, 2026)