U.S. Strike Sinks Alleged Drug Boat, Two Dead
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Washington — U.S. forces struck an alleged drug boat in the eastern Pacific on Dec. 29, killing two people, U.S. Southern Command said. It said Joint Task Force Southern Spear conducted a lethal kinetic strike at the direction of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth after intelligence indicated the vessel was transiting known narco-trafficking routes. No U.S. service members were harmed. The strike is part of a broader regional anti-narcotics campaign that has included about 30 boat attacks since early September, with at least 107 people killed, and has drawn legal and rights-group scrutiny. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.
Prepared by Rachel Morgan and reviewed by editorial team.
Timeline of Events
- Early September 2025: U.S. ramps up Operation Southern Spear targeting alleged narcotics vessels.
- September–December 2025: U.S. military reports roughly 30 boat strikes in Caribbean and eastern Pacific.
- Dec. 29, 2025: Joint Task Force Southern Spear conducts lethal strike on an alleged drug boat, killing two.
- Dec. 30, 2025: Multiple outlets publish SOUTHCOM's post and video documenting the strike.
- Late Dec. 2025: International law experts and rights groups publicly question evidence and legality of strikes.
- Articles Published:
- 6
- Right Leaning:
- 0
- Left Leaning:
- 1
- Neutral:
- 5
- Distribution:
- Left 17%, Center 83%, Right 0%
U.S. defense and law-enforcement agencies aiming to disrupt illicit maritime drug trafficking benefited by removing an alleged trafficking vessel and reinforcing operational deterrence.
Individuals aboard the targeted vessel were killed; regional civilians, maritime workers, and communities face heightened risk and legal and humanitarian concerns due to expanded strike operations.
Coverage of Story:
From Left
Two killed in strike on alleged drug boat in Eastern Pacific: US military | International
Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS)From Center
U.S. Strike Sinks Alleged Drug Boat, Two Dead
LatestLY Asian News International (ANI) China Daily Asia FinanzNachrichten.de WSBTFrom Right
No right-leaning sources found for this story.
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