U.S. Military Strikes Vessel Linked to Narco-Trafficking Terrorist Group in Eastern Pacific, Killing Three
The attack on May 31, 2026, marks the fourth announced this week. The death toll from strikes that began in early September now stands at 205.
nbcnews.comU.S. military carried out a strike on Saturday on a small vessel in the eastern Pacific Ocean, killing three men aboard. The strike occurred on May 31, 2026, and is the fourth announced this week.
U.S. Southern Command stated the vessel was engaged in narco-trafficking operations and operated by a designated terrorist organization. The command provided no evidence supporting the allegation. Video released by the military on social media shows the vessel floating before impact, followed by a fireball engulfing the craft.
Other strikes were announced on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday. The death toll from the series of strikes that began in early September now stands at 205. S. Southern Command said the Saturday strike was conducted at the direction of Gen.
Francis L. S. commander in Latin America. S. Southern Command posted the announcement on X. The Trump administration has declared that the United States is in armed conflict with Latin American drug cartels, citing the flow of drugs into American communities.
U.S. military strikes are part of a monthslong campaign against alleged drug boats traversing the Caribbean Sea and eastern Pacific. President Donald Trump spoke during a Cabinet meeting at the White House on May 27, 2026.
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth looked on during the meeting.
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- Npr reported: The total death toll from the series of U.S. strikes that began in early September is 205
- The Guardian reported: The strike brings the death toll to more than 200 since last year
- Npr reported: The Trump administration has declared that the U.S. is at armed conflict with Latin American drug cartels
- The Guardian reported: U.S. Southern Command stated that intelligence confirmed the vessel was transiting along narco-trafficking routes
- Npr reported: The strike was carried out at the direction of Gen. Francis L. Donovan, the top U.S. commander in Latin America
- Npr reported: Video released by the military shows a small vessel floating in the ocean before it is hit and engulfed in a fireball
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