Kuwait city: Three people were killed during a US Southern Command (SouthCom) operation against a narcotics-smuggling vessel in the eastern Pacific.
According to Kuwait News Agency, SouthCom stated that the strike was directed by Secretary of War Pete Hegseth and executed by Joint Task Force Southern Spear. The operation targeted a vessel operated by a Designated Terrorist Organization. Intelligence had confirmed that the vessel was involved in narcotics smuggling along a known trafficking route.
SouthCom reported that the strike occurred in international waters, resulting in the deaths of three male narco-terrorists on board. The operation marks an escalation in US efforts against narcotics trafficking, with the total number of vessels targeted reaching 21 since the campaign's inception in October, leading to 83 fatalities.
The increased military actions have heightened tensions with Venezuela and Colombia. Both countries have announced the suspension of intelligence cooperation with Washington in response to the US campaign.