The US military announced on Monday that it had carried out another strike against a vessel it claimed was involved in drug smuggling in the eastern Pacific Ocean, resulting in one fatality.
US Southern Command stated in a social media post that "Intelligence confirmed the low-profile vessel was transiting along known narco-trafficking routes in the Eastern Pacific and was engaged in narco-trafficking operations."
However, the command offered no evidence to substantiate its assertion that the boat was engaged in drug trafficking.
A video released by US Southern Command depicts water splashes near one side of the boat. Following a second volley, the rear of the vessel ignites. Further splashes envelop the craft as the fire intensifies. The footage concludes with the boat adrift, engulfed by a significant blaze.
The full post read: “On Dec. 22, at the direction of @SecWar Pete Hegseth, Joint Task Force Southern Spear conducted a lethal kinetic strike on a low-profile vessel operated by Designated Terrorist Organizations in international waters. Intelligence confirmed the low-profile vessel was transiting along known narco-trafficking routes in the Eastern Pacific and was engaged in narco-trafficking operations. One male narco-terrorist was confirmed killed during this action. No U.S. military forces were harmed”
On Dec. 22, at the direction of @SecWar Pete Hegseth, Joint Task Force Southern Spear conducted a lethal kinetic strike on a low-profile vessel operated by Designated Terrorist Organizations in international waters. Intelligence confirmed the low-profile vessel was transiting… pic.twitter.com/LGzEaQSTiR
— U.S. Southern Command (@Southcom) December 23, 2025
Earlier videos of U.S. boat strikes showed vessels suddenly exploding, suggesting missile strikes. Some strike videos even had visible rocket-like projectiles coming down on the boats.
The Trump administration has said the strikes were meant to stop the flow of drugs into the U.S. and increase pressure on Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.
President Donald Trump justified the aggressive action as a necessary escalation to stem the flow of drugs into the United States from what his administration claims are drug-trafficking boats in the Pacific and Caribbean.
At least 105 people have been killed in 29 known strikes since early September. The strikes have faced scrutiny from U.S. lawmakers and human rights activists, who say the administration has offered scant evidence that its targets are indeed drug smugglers and say the fatal strikes amount to extrajudicial killings.
Meanwhile, the U.S. Coast Guard has stepped up efforts to interdict oil tankers in the Caribbean Sea as part of the Trump administration’s escalating campaign against Maduro.
