The U.S. military, under the direction of the Southern Command (SOUTHCOM), has intensified its efforts against illegal drug operations in the Eastern Pacific, conducting a fourth strike on a vessel associated with narco-trafficking. This latest operation resulted in the deaths of three individuals identified as ‘narco-terrorists’ by U.S. authorities.
Series of Operations
The recent strike is part of a broader campaign by SOUTHCOM to dismantle drug trafficking routes in the region. Over the past week, the U.S. military has executed four strikes targeting vessels operated by organizations designated as terrorist groups. These operations are aimed at disrupting the flow of illegal drugs and curbing the influence of these groups.
On May 30, Joint Task Force Southern Spear carried out a lethal kinetic strike on a vessel confirmed to be engaged in narco-trafficking activities. The vessel was traveling along known drug routes in the Eastern Pacific. The operation was carried out without any harm to U.S. military personnel, according to a statement from SOUTHCOM.
Previous Strikes
In addition to the latest strike, SOUTHCOM reported three other operations earlier in the week. A strike on Friday resulted in the deaths of three men, while another on Wednesday killed two individuals. On Tuesday, a strike led to the death of one person, with two others surviving the encounter. The U.S. Coast Guard was notified to activate the Search and Rescue system for the survivors.
Global Context
These operations in the Pacific are part of a larger U.S. military strategy to address threats posed by drug trafficking and terrorism. Concurrently, the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) conducted self-defense strikes against Iranian targets over the weekend, following aggressive actions by Iran, including the shootdown of a U.S. drone. These strikes were aimed at eliminating threats to U.S. assets and personnel in the region.
CENTCOM’s operations included targeting Iranian radar and command sites, as well as intercepting ballistic missiles aimed at American forces in Kuwait. The U.S. military remains committed to protecting its interests and personnel against unwarranted aggression while supporting ongoing ceasefire efforts.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
