US military kills two in first drug-boat strike in over two months

The US military on Monday confirmed it had conducted a lethal strike against an alleged drug-trafficking vessel in the Eastern Pacific, killing two people in the first such operation since Washington halted its controversial maritime campaign more than two months ago.

"Joint Task Force Western Hemisphere carried out a lethal kinetic strike against a low-profile vessel traveling along established narco-trafficking routes in the Eastern Pacific," US Southern Command said in a statement on social media platform X. Two people were killed in Sunday's attack, the command added, noting that the vessel was targeted along well-documented narcotics transit corridors.

Operation Southern Spear resumes

The strike marks the first lethal interdiction since US forces suspended the destruction of suspected drug vessels in early 2026, breaking a pause that had lasted over two months. Prior to the hiatus, the military had destroyed at least 67 vessels and killed 221 people since Operation Southern Spear began in September 2025, according to figures released alongside Monday's announcement.

Washington launched the controversial maritime enforcement program amid rising concerns over narcotics flows toward the US homeland. The campaign has drawn sustained scrutiny from regional governments and human rights monitors regarding its rules of engagement and the high civilian casualty toll associated with vessel sinkings in international waters.

SOUTHCOM commander defends strike

SOUTHCOM Commander General Francis L. Donovan reaffirmed the military's commitment to combating trafficking networks in a statement issued Monday. "We are committed to imposing total systemic friction on narco-terrorists – disrupting their operations, dismantling their leadership, and eliminating cartel terror across the region," Donovan said, characterizing the operation as part of a broader strategy to dismantle cartel infrastructure.

"This operation is a powerful demonstration of our lethal precision, overwhelming capability, and absolute resolve to protect the U.S. homeland," he added. Donovan did not specify whether the individuals killed in Sunday's strike were armed or what quantities of narcotics were recovered from the low-profile vessel.

Casualty toll since September

The resumption of kinetic strikes brings the total death toll from Operation Southern Spear to at least 223 people since the campaign began eight months ago. Military officials have previously defended the high casualty rate by classifying all occupants of suspected trafficking vessels as combatants, a designation disputed by international monitoring organizations tracking enforcement actions in the Eastern Pacific.