Overview
- U.S. Southern Command said Gen. Francis L. Donovan, who assumed command on Feb. 5, directed the strike, which it described as targeting a vessel on known narco‑trafficking routes.
- A brief video released by SOUTHCOM shows the boat exploding; the command reported no U.S. forces were harmed and did not identify the group operating the vessel.
- The operation is the second known strike since the Jan. 3 capture of Nicolás Maduro, with reporters noting a slower tempo of attacks this year.
- Official tallies reported by multiple outlets put the cumulative death count from the boat strikes at roughly 128 across more than three dozen attacks since September.
- Officials tout deterrence—War Secretary Pete Hegseth said some cartel leaders have halted operations—while lawmakers, legal experts, and families of victims press challenges citing scant public evidence and recent wrongful‑death suits.