USA – According to US Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) on Wednesday Dec. 17, 4 people were killed after a US airstrike targeted an alleged “narco-trafficking” boat in eastern Pacific Ocean.

“Intelligence confirmed that the vessel was transiting along a known narco-trafficking route in the Eastern Pacific and was engaged in narco-trafficking operations,” SOUTHCOM announced on US social media company X.

The operation took place at the direction of Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and executed in international waters by Joint Task Force Southern Spear, it said, adding that the vessel was operated by “Designated Terrorist Organizations.”

“A total of four male narco-terrorists were killed, and no U.S. military forces were harmed,” it added.