U.S. Military Kills 3 In Fresh Strike On Alleged Drug Boat In Caribbean

The United States military carried out a lethal strike on an alleged drug-trafficking vessel in the Caribbean Sea on 13 February, killing three people, according to US Southern Command (SOUTHCOM).

No US military personnel were injured during the operation.

SOUTHCOM reported that the strike was conducted by Joint Task Force Southern Spear under the direction of its commander, General Francis L. Donovan.

The command said intelligence assessments indicated that the vessel was travelling along known narcotics trafficking routes in the Caribbean and was engaged in drug-smuggling activities.

It described those killed as “narco-terrorists”.

The latest action forms part of Operation Southern Spear, an anti-narcotics campaign launched in early September under President Donald Trump’s administration.

According to official figures, at least 124 people have been killed in strikes on suspected drug boats during the operation.

Per reports from the command, the total number of deaths linked to the campaign has reached at least 133 across at least 38 strikes conducted in the Caribbean Sea and eastern Pacific Ocean.

On Feb. 13, 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… pic.twitter.com/y50Pbtexfi

— U.S. Southern Command (@Southcom) February 14, 2026

Earlier this week, the US military reported that it had carried out another strike against an alleged drug-smuggling boat in the eastern Pacific. In that incident, two people were killed and one survived.

SOUTHCOM stated that the US Coast Guard had been informed to initiate search and rescue procedures for the survivor, with technical support provided in coordination with Ecuador’s Maritime Rescue Coordination Center.

Officials have referred to those targeted in the strikes as unlawful combatants and have stated that a classified Justice Department finding provides authority to conduct lethal operations without judicial review.

US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth recently stated on social media that certain senior cartel figures had decided to suspend narcotics operations indefinitely following recent strikes in the Caribbean. However, no further details were provided to substantiate that claim.

Administration officials have not publicly released detailed evidence confirming that all vessels targeted were carrying drugs or that those killed were directly affiliated with drug cartels.

The recent strikes follow the capture by US special forces of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro nearly six weeks ago.

Maduro, who had previously stated that the military campaign was intended to bring about regime change in Venezuela, is currently detained in the United States and has pleaded not guilty to drug and weapons charges.

References: FirstPost, CNN

Source: Maritime Shipping News