Watch: US Military Strike On Suspected Drug Boat In Eastern Pacific Kills 1, Leaves 2 Survivors

The U.S. military carried out another strike on a vessel suspected of transporting drugs in the eastern Pacific Ocean on Tuesday, killing one person and leaving two survivors.

Video released by United States Southern Command showed a boat speeding through the water before exploding into flames.

Southern Command said it immediately informed the United States Coast Guard to begin search-and-rescue operations for the survivors.

According to Southern Command, the operation took place on May 26 under the direction of commander Gen. Francis L. Donovan as part of “Operation Southern Spear.”

The military said intelligence indicated the vessel was travelling along known drug-trafficking routes in the eastern Pacific and was involved in narcotics trafficking operations.

Southern Command said one suspected trafficker was killed in the strike while two others survived. It added that no U.S. military personnel were injured during the operation.

On May 26, 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. Intelligence confirmed the vessel was transiting along known narco-trafficking… pic.twitter.com/3TmhGECgYB

— U.S. Southern Command (@Southcom) May 27, 2026

The strike is part of the Trump administration’s campaign against suspected drug-trafficking vessels operating in Latin American waters, including the eastern Pacific and the Caribbean Sea.

According to the reports, the campaign has been ongoing since early September and has resulted in at least 194 deaths.

The U.S. military has not publicly provided evidence showing that the targeted vessels were carrying drugs.

Last week, the Pentagon inspector general said it would review whether the U.S. military followed proper targeting procedures during strikes on suspected drug-smuggling boats.

The review will examine whether the military followed the Pentagon’s six-phase Joint Targeting Cycle, which includes target development, analysis, decision-making, execution and assessment.

The inspector general’s office described the review as “self-initiated.” However, it said the inquiry would not examine the legality of the strikes.

The operations have faced criticism from some Democratic lawmakers and military law experts over the use of deadly force during maritime anti-drug missions.

The Trump administration has defended the campaign, saying the United States is fighting Latin American drug cartels, which it blames for the drug overdose crisis in the country.

References: AP News, New Indian Express