U.S. Strikes Vessel Operated by Designated Terrorist Organizations in Eastern Pacific

EASTERN PACIFIC — On May 27, at the direction of U.S. Southern Command commander Gen. Francis L. Donovan, Joint Task Force Southern Spear struck a vessel operated by Designated Terrorist Organizations.

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

Two males onboard the vessel were killed during the strike. No U.S. military forces were harmed.

The strike was carried out by Joint Task Force Southern Spear, which integrates expeditionary capabilities of II Marine Expeditionary Force with joint force and inter-agency partners to disrupt narcotics flows and degrade the ability of groups the U.S. government has designated as terrorist organizations to traffic narcotics in the Western Hemisphere.

Strike Details

The vessel was identified through intelligence as participating in narco-trafficking. The engagement occurred in international waters along established trafficking corridors in the Eastern Pacific.

Post-strike assessment confirmed two fatalities among personnel on board. U.S. Southern Command stated the vessel “was engaged in narco-trafficking operations” and that “two male narco-terrorists were killed during this action.”

Joint Task Force Southern Spear maintains persistent presence in the theater to interdict such vessels before they can deliver narcotics toward the U.S. homeland or allied nations.

The operation followed standard targeting protocols with confirmation of hostile intent and affiliation prior to engagement.

What to Watch

• Official U.S. Southern Command press releases or updates for any post-engagement imagery, video, or additional statements on operational tempo.

• U.S. Coast Guard or Department of War public statements if any inter-agency coordination details emerge.

• JIATF-S or partner nation releases on any linked interdictions tied to the same trafficking corridor.

Official Statements

• U.S. Southern Command, May 27 statement: “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 routes in the Eastern Pacific and was engaged in narco-trafficking operations. Two male narco-terrorists were killed during this action. No U.S. military forces were harmed.”