US Military Confirms 22nd Lethal Strike in Eastern Pacific Under Operation Southern Spear, Killing Three

U.S. Southern Command has confirmed a recent kinetic strike in the Eastern Pacific, resulting in the destruction of a suspected drug-smuggling speedboat and the deaths of three alleged "narco-terrorists." This incident marks the 22nd vessel strike since August under the newly formalized "Operation Southern Spear," an aggressive U.S. military initiative targeting illicit trafficking in international waters. The operation signals a significant escalation in the Trump administration's anti-narcotics efforts.

"Operation Southern Spear" was formally announced by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who stated on social media, "President Trump ordered action — and the Department of War is delivering." The mission, led by Joint Task Force-Southern Spear in coordination with U.S. Southern Command, aims to "defend our Homeland, remove narco-terrorists from our Hemisphere, and secure our Homeland from the drugs that are killing our people." The operation involves deploying an unprecedented mix of robotic air and sea vessels for detection and monitoring.

The latest strike targeted a boat "zipping along a hot trafficking route loaded with narcotics," according to the initial social media announcement. This follows 21 prior strikes in the Caribbean, which have reportedly resulted in over 80 fatalities. The shift in strategy emphasizes "lethal blows" rather than mere intercepts, intensifying the "hardline war on cartels" as described by the administration.

Defense Secretary Hegseth has characterized the operation as a "hammer on 'narco-terrorism in the Western Hemisphere'," asserting the U.S. will protect its "neighborhood." The initiative is part of a broader, generational military buildup in the Southern Caribbean, including the deployment of the USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier and thousands of military personnel, which has drawn international attention.

While officially framed as counter-narcotics, the operation coincides with rising tensions and discussions within the White House regarding potential direct actions against Venezuela, whose leadership is accused by U.S. officials of running drug cartels. Critics, however, "slam it as overkill on low-level runners" and raise concerns about the legality and transparency of these lethal strikes, questioning the evidence provided for classifying individuals as "narco-terrorists." The escalating situation has prompted Venezuela to mobilize its military forces.