The US military conducted a strike against an alleged drug-trafficking boat in the eastern Pacific Ocean on Monday (February 9), killing two people with one survivor, according to US Southern Command (SOUTHCOM).
“On Feb. 9, at the direction of #SOUTHCOM commander Gen. Francis L. Donovan, Joint Task Force Southern Spear conducted a lethal kinetic strike on a vessel operated by Designated Terrorist Organizations,” SOUTHCOM announced on X.
Following the strike, SOUTHCOM immediately notified the US Coast Guard to activate search and rescue operations for the lone survivor. A Coast Guard spokesperson told CNN that “Maritime Rescue Coordination Center Ecuador has assumed coordination of search and rescue operations,” with the USCG providing technical support.
The military released a 10-second video showing the small motorized boat in crosshairs before being struck, triggering an explosion. Some of the vessel’s structure appeared to remain intact after the explosion as it slowed down.
According to SOUTHCOM, “Intelligence confirmed the vessel was transiting along known narco-trafficking routes in the Eastern Pacific and was engaged in narco-trafficking operations.” However, the military provided no specific evidence about drugs on the vessel or the alleged terrorist affiliations of those on board.
Monday’s operation marks the third publicly known US attack on suspected drug boats this year and at least the 37th since the campaign began in September 2025. According to monitors and media tallies, these strikes have killed at least 121 people.
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