Nation Conducts Lethal Strikes on Vessels in Anti-Drug Operations

The country’s military forces reportedly conducted airstrikes on three vessels that officials claim were operated by what the government designates as “terrorist organizations” and were allegedly engaged in narcotics trafficking, according to the nation’s southern regional command announced Tuesday.

Military officials say 11 people were killed in the airstrikes, all reportedly male. Video footage provided by military sources purportedly shows each of the vessels being struck, though defense officials did not specify the precise locations where the strikes occurred.

“Late on Feb. 16, at the direction of the regional commander, Joint Task Force Southern Spear conducted three lethal kinetic strikes on three vessels operated by Designated Terrorist Organizations. Intelligence confirmed the vessels were transiting along known narco-trafficking routes and were engaged in narco-trafficking operations,” the southern command stated in an announcement.

According to official statements, four individuals were killed on each of the first two vessels in the Eastern Pacific region, while three were killed on the third vessel in Caribbean waters. Military sources emphasized that no personnel from the nation’s armed forces were harmed during the operations.

The southern regional command oversees military operations across Central and South America and the Caribbean, including counter-narcotics missions that officials say are focused on disrupting drug trafficking networks deemed threatening to the country’s interests.

Observers note this continues an escalating pattern of military intervention in regional waters, with the nation having now reportedly carried out at least 41 strikes on alleged drug-smuggling vessels, killing 144 people in Caribbean and Eastern Pacific waters. These operations are described by officials as efforts to dismantle what they term “narco-terrorist networks” operated by organizations the government has designated as terrorist groups.

Monday night’s strikes reportedly marked the seventh such operation conducted against alleged drug-smuggling vessels this year, suggesting an intensification of the country’s military approach to counter-narcotics efforts in the region. Critics have previously questioned the legal framework and oversight mechanisms governing such extraterritorial military operations, though government officials maintain these actions are necessary for national security interests.