LOC08:04
05:04 GMT
Pentagon sends attack aircraft carrier to the Caribbean
WASHINGTON, Nov 17 (KUNA) -- The US Southern Command (SouthCom) said that three people were killed during a strike against a narcotics-smuggling vessel in the eastern Pacific.
A statement by SouthCom on X revealed late Sunday, "On Nov. 15, at the direction of Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, Joint Task Force Southern Spear conducted a lethal kinetic strike on a vessel operated by a Designated Terrorist Organization."
"Intelligence confirmed that the vessel was involved in illicit narcotics smuggling, transiting along a known narco-trafficking route, and carrying narcotics," it added.
SouthCom affirmed, "Three male narco-terrorists aboard the vessel were killed," adding, "The vessel was trafficking narcotics in the Eastern Pacific and was struck in international waters."
The number of vessels targeted by the US has risen to 21, leading to the death of 83 people since the campaign began in October.
The strikes have increased tension with Venezuela and Colombia, with both countries announcing this week that they would suspend intelligence cooperation with Washington. (end)
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