US Southern Command Confirms “Lethal Kinetic Strike” on Narco-Terrorist Vessel in Eastern Pacific; Operation Southern Spear Intensifies
MIAMI – US Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) has confirmed the destruction of another illicit vessel in the Eastern Pacific, marking the latest escalation in the ongoing “Operation Southern Spear.” In a statement released shortly after the incident, officials reported that a “lethal kinetic strike” resulted in the deaths of two individuals identified by the command as “narco-terrorists.”
According to the official release, the operation took place on February 5 under the direct orders of the newly appointed SOUTHCOM Commander, Gen. Francis L. Donovan. The vessel, which intelligence analysts tracked moving along a known trafficking corridor, was reportedly operated by a “Designated Terrorist Organization.”
Deep Search: Verification of the Strike
Analysis of the declassified footage released by SOUTHCOM shows a low-profile vessel, consistent with semi-submersibles often used for smuggling, transiting open waters before being obliterated by an explosion. While the command has not specified the platform used to deliver the strike, the terminology “kinetic strike” signals a continued departure from traditional Coast Guard interdiction methods—which prioritize boarding and arrest—toward direct military engagement. This incident brings the reported death toll in the campaign to over 120 since operations intensified in late 2025.
Background: The Shift to “War” on Cartels
This strike is part of a broader strategic shift directed by the current administration and Secretary of War Pete Hegseth. Under “Operation Southern Spear,” the rules of engagement appear to have expanded significantly. Previously, drug cartels were treated primarily as criminal enterprises subject to law enforcement action. However, following the designation of specific cartels as Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs), US forces have been authorized to utilize military force to disrupt supply chains. The campaign aims to dismantle the financial logistics of these groups, which officials argue are indistinguishable from insurgent terror networks.
Objections and Legal Scrutiny
The aggressive nature of these operations has drawn sharp criticism from legal experts and human rights advocacy groups. Critics argue that labeling smugglers as “terrorists” effectively bypasses due process, allowing for what they term “extrajudicial killings” in international waters. Questions remain regarding the intelligence used to verify the identities of those on board before strikes are authorized.
“We are seeing a militarization of drug policy that treats suspects as enemy combatants without trial,” noted a legal analyst monitoring the situation. “There is currently no public evidence confirming that the two individuals killed were high-ranking terrorists or simply low-level boat operators.”
Despite the pushback, SOUTHCOM maintains that the operations are necessary for national security. The command stated that no US military personnel were harmed during the action and that the campaign will continue to target “deadly business exploits” attempting to reach the US border.
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