Amid rising tensions in the Pacific region, the United States Southern Command confirmed on Friday that it carried out a lethal strike on a vessel linked to a designated terrorist organisation. The command announced the operation through a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, and shared a short video of the attack.
Details of the strike
According to Southcom, the operation targeted a suspected drug-trafficking boat in the Eastern Pacific. The strike resulted in the deaths of three individuals described as “narco-terrorists.” The action was conducted under the direction of Southcom commander Gen. Francis L. Donovan.
“On Feb. 20, 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 Organisations,” Southcom wrote in a post on X. “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,” it furthered.
The 16-second video released by the command shows the moment of the strike. However, officials did not specify which terrorist group was operating the vessel.
On Feb. 20, 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… pic.twitter.com/PzWQFfNgHm
— U.S. Southern Command (@Southcom) February 21, 2026
No US casualties reported
Southcom emphasised that no American service members were injured during the mission. The command described the strike as a targeted action based on intelligence that tracked the vessel along established drug-smuggling routes.
Broader US operations in the region
Since September 2, the US military has carried out at least 43 strikes across the Caribbean and the Eastern Pacific. According to official figures, more than 147 alleged “narco-terrorists” have been killed during these operations.
The US government maintains that these actions are aimed at destroying drug-trafficking vessels and reducing the flow of narcotics into the region.
However, several experts have argued that such military strikes may violate international law. Critics have questioned whether the use of force in international waters is legally justified.
Earlier this week, the US military destroyed three additional boats suspected of being involved in drug trafficking. Two of those vessels were located in the Eastern Pacific, while one was in the Caribbean. Authorities said the strikes killed 11 alleged narco-terrorists. As in Friday’s operation, no US personnel were reported injured.