Overview
- U.S. Southern Command said Joint Task Force Southern Spear carried out the Dec. 30 operation at the direction of SecWar Pete Hegseth.
- The command reported at least three deaths and described the vessels as operated by designated terrorist organizations.
- Official video shows three small boats traveling in convoy before explosions strike, with occupants from two boats jumping overboard before their vessels were sunk.
- The strike occurred in international waters, according to Southcom, which did not provide independent confirmation of the victims’ identities or a more precise location.
- Since September, the military has conducted more than 30 similar maritime strikes against what it says are drug‑smuggling vessels.