Heads up, fam! This past Monday (Dec 29, 2025) and Wednesday (Dec 31, 2025), the US Southern Command launched targeted military attacks—aka “kinetic strikes”—on five suspected drug-running boats in international waters of the eastern Pacific 🌊🚢.
Under the guidance of Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, Joint Task Force Southern Spear hit three vessels on Monday. The command says these ships were run by groups labeled as “Designated Terrorist Organizations”, and three men aboard the first boat died in the strike. The rest jumped overboard before their vessels were sunk in follow-up actions.
Two more vessels were taken out on Wednesday, with five more fatalities—three in the first attack, two in the second. That means eight alleged smugglers lost their lives during these operations ⚠️.
Why it matters: Drug trafficking across the Pacific is a major concern for global security and public health. Operations like this aim to disrupt supply chains, but they also raise questions about maritime rules of engagement and safety at sea.
What’s next: Keep an eye on US Southern Command updates and international maritime watchdogs for more details on how these actions will shape future anti-trafficking efforts 🌐👀.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
