Overview
- U.S. Southern Command reported that Joint Task Force "Southern Spear" conducted a lethal kinetic strike in international waters of the eastern Pacific.
- The operation was ordered by Defense Secretary Pete Hegset, according to the command’s statement.
- The statement said intelligence linked the boat to known drug-smuggling routes and narcotics transport activity.
- Two people described as suspected narcoterrorists were killed, and no U.S. military casualties were reported.
- Outlets relayed the Dec. 30 statement as part of a continuing maritime campaign, while separate presidential comments about a port strike were not corroborated by the Pentagon or White House.