U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) announced that, under the direction of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, forces assigned to Joint Task Force–Southern Spear (JTF-SS) carried out strikes on Tuesday, December 30, against three narco-trafficking vessels operating as a convoy in international waters.

According to SOUTHCOM, intelligence indicated the vessels were traveling along a known narcotics trafficking route and had transferred illicit drugs among themselves prior to the operation. Three narco-terrorists aboard the first vessel were killed in the initial strike. Crew members on the remaining two boats reportedly abandoned their vessels, jumping overboard before follow-on engagements sank both ships. All three vessels were believed to be linked to a Designated Terrorist Organization (DTO).

After the operation, the U.S. Coast Guard launched search-and-rescue efforts for any survivors.