The US military's Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) stated on 20/2 that Task Force South conducted an attack using "lethal force" on a boat in the Eastern Pacific Ocean.

SOUTHCOM accused a "terrorist organization" of operating the boat, which it said was involved in drug trafficking on a sea route commonly used for smuggling illicit substances.

The command released a video on X showing it targeted the boat before it exploded and caught fire at sea, killing three people on board.

Suspected drug boat attacked by the US military in the Eastern Pacific Ocean on 20/2. *Video: SOUTHCOM*

SOUTHCOM is the command responsible for US military operations in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. The US military did not provide any evidence showing the boat and the three deceased individuals were involved in drug trafficking.

This attack brings the total number of deaths from approximately 43 US military raids on suspected drug vessels in the Caribbean Sea and Pacific Ocean since 9/2025 to 148.

Before the US military launched such offensive operations, the US Coast Guard primarily handled maritime anti-drug trafficking missions. The US Coast Guard continues to intercept drug boats and seize narcotics in the Eastern Pacific Ocean, but typically does not use lethal force.

By Huyen Le (Reuters, CNN)