U.S. Southern Command executed three precision strikes on February 17, 2026, targeting suspected narco-trafficking vessels in the Eastern Pacific and Caribbean under the direction of the combatant commander. The coordinated operations resulted in the elimination of 11 individuals linked to illicit drug smuggling activities, according to verification from Reuters and Anadolu Agency.

These strikes are part of an intensified U.S. counter-narcotics campaign, marking the 41st such operation since early September 2025 and contributing to a cumulative total of 144 confirmed targets neutralized. The initiative reflects heightened military and interagency efforts to disrupt the flow of fentanyl and other narcotics from South America to the United States and allied regions.

Southern Command officials emphasized the precision nature of the operations, designed to minimize collateral damage while targeting specific vessels identified through intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance assets. By coordinating strikes across both the Eastern Pacific and Caribbean, U.S. forces demonstrate operational flexibility and a sustained commitment to maritime counter-narcotics missions.

The campaign underscores the strategic integration of naval and aerial capabilities to interdict high-risk trafficking routes. Analysts note that these operations not only disrupt immediate smuggling activities but also aim to degrade the broader organizational networks facilitating narcotics distribution across the hemisphere.

While the strikes have eliminated key operatives, authorities continue to monitor regional trafficking patterns to prevent the reconstitution of illicit networks. The Southern Command’s operations are part of a broader U.S. government strategy that combines military pressure, law enforcement collaboration, and regional partnerships to reduce drug-related threats and protect public health and security in the Western Hemisphere.

Officials stress that intelligence-driven, precision strikes remain central to this ongoing campaign, reflecting the United States’ commitment to proactive, targeted measures against narcotics trafficking in international waters.