US says it struck alleged drug trafficking vessel in Pacific, killing two

In an initial statement, the US military said three people survived the strike but only one survivor was ultimately recovered alive.The United States military has announced that it attacked another alleged drug trafficking vessel in the Eastern Pacific.But while the US military initially said on Friday that three people survived the strike, the Coast Guard later issued a statement that two of the three were found dead. Only one person was recovered alive.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemslist 1 of 3Experts say US boat strikes are illegal killings. Can they be stopped?list 2 of 3US military kills six in strike on alleged drug boat in the Eastern Pacificlist 3 of 3US confirms 157 killed in maritime strikes experts call ‘extrajudicial’end of listThe US Southern Command, which oversees military activities in Latin America, wrote in a social media post that the strike had taken place the previous day.“Intelligence confirmed the low-profile vessel was transiting along known narco-trafficking routes in the Eastern Pacific and was engaged in narco-trafficking operations,” the post alleges, offering no specifics.“Following the engagement, USSOUTHCOM immediately notified US Coast Guard to activate the Search and Rescue system for the survivors.”An accompanying black-and-white video shows a small boat being bombed and bursting into flames.The news agency Reuters reported that the survivor and the remains of those killed were transferred to the Costa Rican Coast Guard.The strike is the latest in a lethal campaign targeting alleged drug trafficking boats off Latin America.The campaign, dubbed Operation Southern Spear, has now killed at least 159 people in 46 separate incidents, according to government announcements about the attacks.The attacks began on September 2, 2025, and it is rare for the US government to announce survivors.Apart from today, the only two known survivors came on October 16, more than a month into the bombing campaign. The men who survived that attack were repatriated to their home countries of Colombia and Ecuador, where they were released without charge.