SOUTHCOM Strikes Vessel in Eastern Pacific, Killing Three

EASTERN PACIFIC — On May 29, Joint Task Force Southern Spear, operating under U.S. Southern Command, struck a vessel confirmed by SOUTHCOM intelligence to be transiting known drug trafficking routes while engaged in narco-trafficking operations.

The strike killed three male individuals identified by SOUTHCOM as narco-terrorists. No U.S. military personnel were harmed.

The strike forms part of ongoing maritime interdiction efforts. SOUTHCOM has conducted similar actions on May 26 and May 27 resulting in one and two fatalities respectively.

Strike Details

Intelligence gathered by U.S. Southern Command assessed the vessel as operated by Designated Terrorist Organizations and actively involved in narcotics trafficking across established Eastern Pacific routes.

The engagement occurred at sea with precision targeting that limited effects to the vessel itself. SOUTHCOM described the individuals killed as male narco-terrorists.

Operational Context

Joint Task Force Southern Spear executes maritime operations to disrupt narcotics flows from designated terrorist organizations and transnational criminal networks. The unit has carried out repeated vessel strikes since late 2025.

On the same day, the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit assumed the watch as Littoral Combat Force-24 under Col. Ryan Lynch, providing an agile Marine Air-Ground Task Force of over 1,300 Marines and Sailors nested under Joint Force Maritime Component Command and Joint Task Force 84-2 to support Operation Southern Spear.

Casualty and Safety Information

Three male individuals died in the May 29 strike. SOUTHCOM stated no U.S. military forces were harmed. Previous strikes on May 26 and May 27 recorded one and two fatalities respectively, with survivors in some cases referred to U.S. Coast Guard assets.

Official Statements

• U.S. Southern Command, May 29: “On May 29, 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. Three male narco-terrorists were killed during this action. No U.S. military forces were harmed. SOUTHCOM is unwavering in its commitment to applying total systemic friction on the cartels. @DeptofWar #OpSouthernSpear”

• U.S. Southern Command / 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, May 29: “The 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit has officially assumed the mission as the premier tactical force-in-readiness within the U.S. Southern Command area of responsibility. The Marines and Sailors of LCF-24 are postured to execute all prescribed mission sets directed by our higher echelons of leadership; to deter the threats facing our hemisphere today. Through our transition with the 22nd MEU, we have seamlessly assumed the watch. Our posture is active, our forces are integrated, and we are committed to standing as the regional security partner of choice. While in theater, LCF-24 will serve as the immediate crisis response force for USSOUTHCOM. The MAGTF is certified to execute a wide array of mission essential tasks, including but not limited to Quick Reaction Force operations such as embassy reinforcement and the tactical recovery of aircraft personnel, while standing ready to support disaster relief activities. While operating in the contested littorals, LCF-24 also provides the combatant commander a flexible force capable of conducting maritime interdiction operations against sanctioned activities and illicit trafficking. The MAGTF will actively defend the U.S. homeland by disrupting networks utilized by Designated Terrorist Organizations and narco-terrorists. Distinct from a standard Amphibious Ready Group/MEU deployment, LCF-24 is a purpose-built MAGTF engineered for distributed operations. The force maximizes its rapid littoral maneuver capabilities by operating from both shore-based nodes and amphibious transport dock USS Fort Lauderdale, which is exclusively aligned to support the MAGTF’s mission. Our success in Operation Southern Spear relies on our ability to out-maneuver and overmatch the illicit networks threatening the region. Littoral Combat Force-24 provides the exact combination of precision capability and interoperability we need. They are not just a crisis response force; they provide options to the Combatant Commander and serve as a tool for building partner capacity and securing the advantage across all domains. The Western Hemisphere is no longer a permissive environment for narco-terrorists, criminal syndicates, or their state sponsors. With Littoral Combat Force-24 taking the helm of tactical operations, we are sending an unambiguous message: the United States is committed to defending our homeland and securing a prosperous, stable hemisphere alongside our enduring partners.”