U.S. military operations resulted in the destruction of three narco-boats and eleven fatalities in the Pacific and Caribbean regions as part of a strategic mission targeting cartel activities.
On February 17, U.S. Armed Forces announced that they have destroyed three narco-boats in the Pacific and Caribbean, resulting in a total of eleven fatalities. These operations were carried out under the auspices of Operation Southern Lancer, which has been active since September and aims to increase pressure on Nicolás Maduro amid U.S.-Venezuelan tensions.
The three attacks took place under the direction of General Francis L. Donovan, commander of U.S. Southern Command. The joint force executed lethal kinetic strikes against vessels identified as being operated by designated terrorist organizations. This operation reflects Washington's commitment to combat drug trafficking and destabilizing activities in the region while supporting broader geopolitical objectives regarding Venezuela.
Washington's actions come on the heels of heightened concerns regarding narcotrafficking in the Caribbean and Central America, with implications for U.S. security and Latin American stability. The targeting of these organizations underlines U.S. efforts to disrupt supply chains of illegal drugs and combat the influence of cartels that pose threats not only regionally but also to domestic security in the U.S.
