U.S. Southern Command Strikes Vessel in Eastern Pacific

EASTERN PACIFIC — U.S. Southern Command released a statement saying that it carried out a strike on a vessel in the Eastern Pacific on June 3.

SOUTHCOM Intelligence indicated the vessel was transiting known drug trafficking routes and engaged in such operations.

Two males were killed during the engagement. No U.S. military forces were harmed. The strike follows a series of continued strikes conducted by the same task force in the Eastern Pacific.

Official releases describe consistent intelligence-driven targeting of vessels involved in drug trafficking.

The strike was carried out under Operation Southern Spear, which encompasses strikes and maritime interdictions conducted in partnership with U.S. inter-agency elements and regional forces to detect, disrupt, and dismantle networks involved in drug trafficking across the Western Hemisphere.

Official Statements

U.S. Southern Command, June 3, 2026 press release: “On June 3, at the direction of the commander of U.S. Southern Command 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.”