U.S. Southern Command confirms strikes on narco-terrorist vessels

INTERNATIONAL, 13 April 2026 (NPA) — The U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) has announced that it carried out precision strikes on two vessels operated by designated terrorist organizations, in an operation described as “applying total systemic friction on the cartels.”

According to SOUTHCOM, the strikes were conducted on April 11 under the direction of Commander Gen. Francis L. Donovan. Intelligence confirmed the vessels were transiting along known narco-trafficking routes in the Eastern Pacific. The first strike killed two male narco-terrorists, while one survived. The second strike killed three male narco-terrorists.

In its statement, SOUTHCOM said: “On April 11, at the direction of #SOUTHCOM commander Gen. Francis L. Donovan, Joint Task Force Southern Spear conducted two lethal kinetic strikes on two vessels operated by Designated Terrorist Organizations. Intelligence confirmed the vessels were transiting along known narco-trafficking routes in the Eastern Pacific and were engaged in narco-trafficking operations. Two male narco-terrorists were killed, and one narco-terrorist survived the first strike. Three male narco-terrorists were killed during the second strike.”

Following the engagements, SOUTHCOM immediately notified the U.S. Coast Guard to activate the Search and Rescue system for the survivor. The Command confirmed that no U.S. military forces were harmed during the operation.