The U.S. military carried out a series of targeted airstrikes against vessels linked to drug-trafficking terrorist networks, eliminating 11 suspected narco-terrorists in an operation announced Tuesday by U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM).
According to the command, the strikes targeted three vessels operated by “designated terrorist organizations.”
Intelligence determined that the boats were actively engaged in narcotics trafficking along known smuggling routes.
In a statement posted to X, SOUTHCOM said:
“Late on Feb. 16, at the direction of #SOUTHCOM commander Gen. Francis L. Donovan, Joint Task Force Southern Spear conducted three lethal kinetic strikes on three vessels operated by Designated Terrorist Organizations.
“Intelligence confirmed the vessels were transiting along known narco-trafficking routes and were engaged in narco-trafficking operations.”
Eleven Narco-Terrorists Killed, No U.S. Casualties
Military officials reported that all 11 individuals killed were male and that no U.S. service members were harmed during the operation.
The statement continued:
“Eleven male narco-terrorists were killed during these actions, 4 on the first vessel in the Eastern Pacific, 4 on the second vessel in the Eastern Pacific, and 3 on the third vessel in the Caribbean.
“No U.S. military forces were harmed.”
Footage released by the military shows each vessel being struck.
WATCH:
Late on Feb. 16, at the direction of #SOUTHCOM commander Gen. Francis L. Donovan, Joint Task Force Southern Spear conducted three lethal kinetic strikes on three vessels operated by Designated Terrorist Organizations. Intelligence confirmed the vessels were transiting along known… pic.twitter.com/mib9XtptSB
— U.S. Southern Command (@Southcom) February 17, 2026
The Pentagon did not specify the precise locations of the engagements.
Part of Broader Counter-Narcotics Campaign
SOUTHCOM oversees U.S. military operations across Central America, South America, and the Caribbean.
The operations include counter-drug missions aimed at dismantling trafficking networks that threaten U.S. national security.
The latest action marks the seventh strike this year against suspected drug-smuggling vessels.
In total, the United States has now conducted at least 41 strikes targeting alleged narco-terror operations in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific.
So far, the strikes have resulted in 144 deaths tied to those missions.
The continued operations underscore the Trump administration’s emphasis on using decisive military force to disrupt transnational criminal networks fueling narcotics flows into the United States.
READ MORE – FBI Arrests Dozens in Massive Chinese Fentanyl Trafficking Ring Bust
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