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2w ago

U.S. Strikes Three Alleged Narco-Trafficking Boats, Killing 11

The attacks extend a months-long campaign that has killed 144 people.

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A video still from the X account of U.S. Southern Command shows a vessel being struck on Monday, Feb. 17, 2026.
FILE - The Pentagon, the headquarters for the U.S. Department of Defense, is seen from the air, Sept. 20, 2025, in Arlington, Va. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, FIle)
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Overview

  • U.S. Southern Command said late Feb. 16 strikes targeted vessels in the Eastern Pacific and Caribbean at the direction of Gen. Francis L. Donovan and executed by Joint Task Force Southern Spear.
  • SOUTHCOM reported 11 males killed with four on each of two boats in the Eastern Pacific and three on a third vessel in the Caribbean, with no U.S. casualties.
  • Military-provided footage shows each of the boats being struck.
  • Media tallies now count at least 42 attacks since early September with a total of 144 deaths across the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific.
  • SOUTHCOM said intelligence confirmed the boats were engaged in drug trafficking, while Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth recently claimed traffickers halted operations but offered no supporting details.