MIAMI — An Operation Southern Spear Strike left a vessel ablaze and killed three suspected narco-terrorists in the Eastern Pacific on May 29, according to U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM). The military command said the vessel was operating along known narcotics trafficking routes when it was targeted.
According to SOUTHCOM, the operation was conducted by Joint Task Force Southern Spear at the direction of Commander Gen. Francis L. Donovan as part of Operation Southern Spear. The command stated that intelligence indicated the vessel was engaged in drug-trafficking activities in the Eastern Pacific.
SOUTHCOM said three male suspects were killed during the strike. The command also reported that no U.S. military personnel were injured during the operation.
The latest action follows another reported strike against a suspected narcotics trafficking vessel in the Eastern Pacific announced by SOUTHCOM a day earlier. The operation comes amid an apparent increase in U.S. military counter-narcotics activity in the region, following an Eastern Pacific narco-trafficking strike that targeted another suspected drug-trafficking vessel operating along known smuggling routes.
Images released by SOUTHCOM appear to show the targeted vessel engulfed in flames following the strike. However, officials have not confirmed whether the vessel ultimately sank or provided additional details regarding its cargo.
What We Know Operation Southern Spear Strike
SOUTHCOM says the strike occurred on May 29 in the Eastern Pacific.
Joint Task Force Southern Spear carried out the operation.
The vessel was allegedly involved in narcotics trafficking, according to SOUTHCOM.
Three male suspects were killed during the strike.
No U.S. military personnel were injured.
Images released by SOUTHCOM show the vessel on fire following the operation.
What We Don’t Know
The identities and nationalities of those killed have not been released.
The exact location of the strike has not been disclosed.
Details about the vessel and any cargo on board have not been released.
Officials have not confirmed whether the vessel sank.
Independent verification of SOUTHCOM’s claims was not immediately available.
This is a developing story. Unitedpac St Lucia News will update this report as confirmed information becomes available.
