Overview
- U.S. Southern Command reported two attack series that killed three people on Tuesday and two on Wednesday, describing the targets as drug‑laden boats tied to a U.S.-designated terrorist group.
- In a separate engagement hours earlier on Dec. 31, forces struck a three‑boat convoy, killing three on the first vessel before the other crews jumped overboard and two boats were sunk.
- The command said the Joint Task Force Southern Spear carried out the Dec. 31 operation on the defense secretary’s order and asserted the ships were operating in international waters on known smuggling routes.
- Authorities said intelligence indicated the boats had transferred narcotics between vessels before the strikes, and announcements were posted on the platform X.
- Since early September, roughly 30 such operations have been reported with more than 100 deaths, drawing sharp criticism from opponents who argue the actions violate international law.