US military targets another suspected drug vessel in Pacific, 3 killed

17-Nov-2025

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The Pentagon said on November 16 that US forces carried out another deadly strike on a suspected drug-trafficking boat in the eastern Pacific, killing three people aboard in what has become one of Washington’s most aggressive maritime counterdrug campaigns in decades.

According to US Southern Command, the operation took place on November 15 when a small vessel travelling along a known narcotics route was targeted by Joint Task Force Southern Spear. 

"Intelligence confirmed that the vessel was involved in illicit narcotics smuggling, transiting along a known narco-trafficking route, and carrying narcotics," the command said in a statement posted on social media. It added that the boat was operating in international waters at the time of the strike.