The U.S. military carried out a lethal strike on Saturday against a vessel in the Caribbean that it says was involved in drug trafficking, killing four alleged “narco-terrorists,” according to U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM).
In a statement, SOUTHCOM said the operation took place on September 19 under its direction, with Joint Task Force Western Hemisphere executing a “lethal, kinetic strike” on a go-fast vessel operating along established narco-trafficking routes in the Caribbean.
“Confirmed intelligence revealed the vessel’s active involvement in narco-trafficking,” the statement continued. SOUTHCOM said four alleged “narco-terrorists” were killed during the operation.
A Broader Campaign Against Cartel-Linked Networks
Saturday’s strike is part of a monthslong campaign launched by the Trump administration aimed at dismantling cartel-linked trafficking networks. SOUTHCOM has conducted dozens of strikes in the Eastern Pacific and Caribbean targeting vessels it says are connected to “narco-terrorists.”
On Sept. 9, the military said it carried out a strike on a vessel involved in narco-trafficking that resulted in three deaths.
Following Saturday’s strike, the Trump administration’s campaign targeting suspected cartel vessels has resulted in at least 231 deaths tied to at least 69 reported strikes over roughly one year.
Video Footage and Recent Operations
Video of Saturday’s operation released by SOUTHCOM shows a vessel moving through the water before erupting into a massive fireball.
In recent weeks, SOUTHCOM has also released several videos showing military personnel intercepting and boarding vessels allegedly involved in narco-trafficking before removing their crews and sinking the boats.
Many of the operations recently highlighted by SOUTHCOM have targeted vessels allegedly tied to Los Choneros, which the military has described as a violent “narco-terrorist” organization.
