US military strikes alleged drug vessel in Eastern Pacific

The US military has carried out a strike on a vessel allegedly involved in narco-trafficking in the Eastern Pacific, the US Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) said.

The strike was conducted by Joint Task Force Southern Spear at the direction of SOUTHCOM Commander General Francis L. Donovan.

"Intelligence confirmed the vessel was transiting along known narco-trafficking routes in the Eastern Pacific and was engaged in narco-trafficking operations," SOUTHCOM said on X on Tuesday.

The command also shared unclassified footage of the strike.

"One male narco-terrorist was killed during this action, and there were two survivors," it said, adding that no US military forces were harmed.

On May 26, 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… pic.twitter.com/3TmhGECgYB

— U.S. Southern Command (@Southcom) May 27, 2026

Following the engagement, the command said it immediately notified the US Coast Guard to activate the Search and Rescue system for the survivors.

Recently, US President Donald Trump said his administration has nearly eliminated the flow of illegal drugs entering the US through maritime routes, saying there has been a 97 percent reduction in narcotics trafficked by sea.