U.S. Southern Command announced that on December 30, Joint Task Force Southern Spear carried out coordinated kinetic strikes against three narco-trafficking vessels operating as a convoy in international waters in the Eastern Pacific.

According to SOUTHCOM, the operation was conducted at the direction of U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth and targeted vessels operated by Designated Terrorist Organizations. Intelligence assessments confirmed the boats were traveling along known narco-trafficking routes and had transferred narcotics between one another prior to the strikes.

The first engagement resulted in the elimination of three narco-terrorists aboard the lead vessel. During subsequent actions, the remaining individuals aboard the other two vessels abandoned ship, jumping overboard and distancing themselves before follow-on engagements sank both boats.

Infrared video released following the operation shows missile launches and explosions striking the vessels, underscoring the precision and lethality of the mission. After the strikes were completed, U.S. Southern Command immediately notified the U.S. Coast Guard to activate the Search and Rescue system for individuals who entered the water.

The action marks the 30th known operation under Operation Southern Spear, a Trump administration campaign aimed at dismantling cartel maritime networks by formally treating major narco-trafficking organizations as terrorist entities. Supporters of the strategy argue that disrupting maritime supply chains is critical to cutting off the flow of fentanyl and other synthetic opioids responsible for more than 100,000 American deaths annually.

Defense officials emphasized that the strikes were conducted in international waters, based on verified intelligence, and reflect a broader shift toward aggressive interdiction measures to counter transnational criminal organizations threatening U.S. national security.