US military strike kills three in Pacific counter-drug operation

WASHINGTON, Feb 21 (KUNA) -- The United States Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) announced that three individuals were killed in a military strike targeting a drug-smuggling vessel in the eastern Pacific Ocean.
In a statement posted on its official account on X, SOUTHCOM said Joint Task Force "Southern Spear," under the direction of Commander General Francis Donovan, conducted a lethal strike on February 20 against a vessel linked to designated terrorist organizations in the eastern Pacific.
The statement added that intelligence confirmed the vessel was transporting narcotics along known drug-trafficking routes and was involved in ongoing smuggling operations across the region.
It noted that three drug traffickers were killed in the strike, while no US military personnel were harmed during the operation.
The US administration informed Congress early last September that the United States is engaged in an "armed conflict" with "terrorist" drug cartels operating in the Caribbean region. (end) amm.aai