U.S. forces conducted a lethal operation on November 15, 2025, targeting a narcotics vessel in the Eastern Pacific, resulting in the deaths of three suspected narco-terrorists. The operation, confirmed by U.S. Southern Command, aimed to disrupt criminal activities linked to designated terrorist organizations operating in international waters.
The strike is part of a broader campaign that has now resulted in a total of **82 suspected narco-terrorists** killed since the campaign’s inception, with three survivors reported. U.S. officials noted that the ongoing effort focuses on vessels associated with transnational criminal networks and terrorist groups.
Details of the Operation
According to U.S. Southern Command, intelligence indicated that the targeted vessel was actively involved in narcotics smuggling along a known trafficking route. The command characterized the operation as a “lethal kinetic operation,” executed in international waters to effectively dismantle these illicit networks.
Secretary of War **Pete Hegseth** announced the launch of **Operation Southern Spear** on **November 13, 2025**, emphasizing its mission to target narco-terrorist organizations throughout Latin America. Hegseth stated, “This mission defends our Homeland, removes narco-terrorists from our Hemisphere, and secures our Homeland from the drugs that are killing our people.”
This initiative, led by Joint Task Force Southern Spear in coordination with U.S. Southern Command, signifies a strategic escalation in the U.S. approach to combating drug trafficking.
Context and Background
The recent operation aligns with a series of strikes against suspected drug-trafficking boats, with the previous strike occurring just a week earlier when U.S. forces killed four alleged narco-terrorists. Since early September, U.S. military actions across the Eastern Pacific and the Caribbean have targeted numerous vessels linked to groups such as Venezuela’s **Tren de Aragua** gang and Colombia’s **Ejército de Liberación Nacional (ELN)**.
The campaign commenced on **September 2** with a strike that resulted in the deaths of **11 alleged members** of the Tren de Aragua. Throughout October and November, U.S. forces have continued targeted operations along established trafficking routes.
The U.S. operations have engaged a variety of craft, including submersibles, fishing boats, and high-speed vessels. Notably, one strike involving an ELN-affiliated vessel prompted criticism from Colombia’s president following the deaths of three men.
The **Navy** oversees Operation Southern Spear under the **4th Fleet** and Southern Command, deploying advanced technology such as long-dwell robotic surface vessels and vertical takeoff and landing robotic air vessels in their operations.
This ongoing campaign represents a significant facet of U.S. efforts to dismantle narco-terrorist networks and alleviate the flow of illegal drugs entering the United States. As actions continue to unfold, the focus remains on safeguarding communities from the dangers posed by drug-related violence and trafficking.
