INTERNATIONAL
US military says it conducted strikes on drug-trafficking vessels in eastern Pacific
A vessel that the US military said was suspected of smuggling drugs, burns after being struck with a kinetic weapon in a location given as the Eastern Pacific, December 18, 2025. - US Southern Command/REUTERS
The U.S. military said on Thursday (December 18) it carried out strikes on two vessels suspected of smuggling drugs in the Eastern Pacific.
AI Brief
The U.S. Southern Command released black-and-white surveillance footage said to show what officials described as "lethal kinetic strikes" on the vessels, with explosions and smoke seen after they were hit.
Five men were killed, according to the post. No U.S. forces were harmed in the operation, which took place in international waters, the statement added.
Southern Command said the strikes were ordered by Secretary of War Pete Hegseth and carried out by Joint Task Force Southern Spear. The statement said the vessels were operated by designated terrorist organizations and were engaged in narco-trafficking along known routes.
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AI Brief
- US Southern Command confirms lethal strikes on vessels linked to narco-trafficking and terrorism in international waters.
- Five men were killed in the operation ordered by Secretary of War Pete Hegseth with no US casualties reported.
- Surveillance footage shows explosions and smoke as Joint Task Force Southern Spear carried out the mission.
The U.S. Southern Command released black-and-white surveillance footage said to show what officials described as "lethal kinetic strikes" on the vessels, with explosions and smoke seen after they were hit.
Five men were killed, according to the post. No U.S. forces were harmed in the operation, which took place in international waters, the statement added.
Southern Command said the strikes were ordered by Secretary of War Pete Hegseth and carried out by Joint Task Force Southern Spear. The statement said the vessels were operated by designated terrorist organizations and were engaged in narco-trafficking along known routes.
Your gateway to global news, insights, and stories that matter.