US strike on suspected drug vessel in Caribbean kills three

2026-02-23 - 22:22

The US military announced Monday that it killed three individuals in a strike targeting an alleged drug-trafficking vessel in the Caribbean Sea, the latest operation in an intensified campaign against narcotics networks. US Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) stated that intelligence confirmed the vessel was traveling along "known narco-trafficking routes" and actively engaged in drug operations at the time of the attack. Operational Details The strike was ordered by SOUTHCOM commander Gen. Francis L. Donovan and executed by Joint Task Force Southern Spear against a "vessel operated by Designated Terrorist Organizations," according to the command. No US personnel were harmed in the operation, which adds to a growing death toll from the expanded military campaign. Since September, the Trump administration has intensified naval and air operations in the Caribbean Sea and Eastern Pacific Ocean, resulting in at least 148 fatalities. Broader Regional Campaign The military action coincides with heightened US pressure on Venezuela, including oil tanker blockades, vessel seizures, and an increased military presence near Venezuelan waters. On January 3, a US military operation inside Venezuela led to the capture of President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, dramatically escalating tensions between Washington and Caracas. The administration has framed these operations as essential to combating drug trafficking and disrupting what it terms "narco-terrorist" networks operating in the region. Strategic Implications The Caribbean strikes form part of a broader US strategy to interdict drug smuggling routes while simultaneously pressuring the Venezuelan government. Critics warn that the increasing militarization of counter-narcotics operations risks civilian casualties and regional instability, while the administration maintains that aggressive interdiction is necessary to stem the flow of drugs toward American shores. With at least 148 killed since operations intensified, the campaign shows no signs of abating as Washington continues its multifaceted pressure campaign in Latin America and the Caribbean.