US Military Conducts Lethal Strike on Narco-Terrorist Vessel in Pacific

US Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) conducted a lethal strike against a vessel operated by designated terrorist organizations in the Eastern Pacific on Friday, May 8. The operation, carried out by Joint Task Force “Southern Spear,” resulted in the death of two narco-terrorists, while one survivor was reported. Intelligence confirmed the vessel was transiting known drug trafficking routes. This action is part of the ongoing “Southern Spear” operation ordered by President Donald Trump to dismantle cartels in Central and South America. Make us preferred on Google Flip Share Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn Bluesky Email Copy Copied A screenshot from a US Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) video showing the destruction of a drug-trafficking terrorist vessel. (Photo by SOUTHCOM/X) Content Share Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn Bluesky Email Copy Copied Flip Make us preferred on Google The United States military conducted a lethal strike against a boat in the eastern Pacific on Friday, May 8, resulting in the deaths of two narco-terrorists. US Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) announced via the social media platform X that the strike was directed by SOUTHCOM Commander General Francis L. Donovan. The mission was executed by Joint Task Force “Southern Spear” against a vessel operated by “designated terrorist organizations”. Follow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official . Intelligence confirmed that the ship was transiting established drug trafficking routes and was actively engaged in smuggling operations at the time of the strike. “During this operation, two narco-terrorist men were eliminated, and one survived,” SOUTHCOM stated in its report. Following the engagement, SOUTHCOM alerted the US Coast Guard to initiate search and rescue operations for the surviving crew member. No US service members were injured during the mission. The strike is part of a broader military campaign known as Operation Southern Spear. Launched in November of last year under the orders of President Donald Trump , the operation focuses on combatting drug trafficking and eliminating local cartels throughout Central and South America as well as the Caribbean. On May 8, 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/YFLQNZufRx This lethal action in the Pacific coincides with intensified US maritime enforcement efforts in other regions. On April 25, US naval forces intercepted the Sevan , a vessel identified as part of a “shadow fleet” in the Arabian Sea. According to US Central Command (CENTCOM), the Sevan is one of 19 vessels sanctioned for transporting billions of dollars in Iranian energy exports. Other Topics of Interest US Efforts to Mediate Russia-Ukraine Peace Stagnate, Rubio Says US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated on Friday, May 8, that negotiations to end Russia’s war in Ukraine have “stagnated” and reached a “deadlock.” While the US has attempted to play a mediator role, Rubio noted these efforts have not yet been fruitful. Despite the current lack of progress, he emphasized that Washington remains ready to facilitate a diplomatic resolution should an opportunity arise to bring both sides closer to a peace deal. The US military continues to implement a total blockade on vessels entering or leaving Iranian ports. President Donald Trump has maintained that these naval blockades will remain in place until specific diplomatic and security conditions are met, including the total abandonment of enriched uranium programs. Meanwhile, in the Baltic Sea, Swedish authorities recently arrested the captain of the oil tanker Jin Hui , which is also suspected of belonging to the Russian “shadow fleet”. The tanker was reportedly used to evade Western sanctions imposed due to Russia’s war against Ukraine. Analysts estimate that such shadow fleet vessels now comprise approximately 20% of the world’s tanker fleet. Kyiv Post is Ukraine’s first and oldest English news organization since 1995. Its international market reach of 97% outside of Ukraine makes it truly Ukraine’s Global – and most reliable – Voice.