The U.S. Department of Defense has confirmed that six people were killed in a strike against a suspected drug-smuggling vessel in the Caribbean Sea earlier this week. The Pentagon said the operation targeted a “known maritime threat” believed to be transporting illegal narcotics toward Central America.
According to officials, U.S. forces detected the vessel during a surveillance mission and launched a precision strike after it reportedly ignored multiple warnings. The Pentagon said the action was carried out in coordination with regional partners as part of ongoing efforts to disrupt transnational drug trafficking routes.
“All indications point to the vessel being part of a larger narcotics network,” a Defense Department spokesperson said, adding that the incident remains under investigation to determine the identities and affiliations of those on board.
No U.S. personnel were harmed in the operation. Authorities are currently conducting recovery efforts in the area and assessing whether the vessel carried significant quantities of drugs or weapons.
The strike marks one of the most serious confrontations in recent months as Washington intensifies its crackdown on maritime drug smuggling in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific regions.