US operation kills one, leaves two survivors on Pacific drug trafficking vessel

The U.S. Southern Command reported conducting a lethal kinetic operation against a vessel in the eastern Pacific Ocean, resulting in one fatality and two survivors. The operation, carried out by the Joint Task Force 'Lanza del Sur,' targeted a vessel believed to be involved with drug trafficking organizations.

According to official information, intelligence gathered indicated that the vessel was navigating known drug trafficking routes in the eastern Pacific and engaged in related activities. The U.S. Southern Command described the action as a "lethal kinetic attack."

This latest incident brings the total number of attacks against vessels in the campaign to at least 63, with over 200 reported deaths, according to specialized media counts based on official Southern Command data. The campaign has drawn scrutiny in Washington, prompting the Pentagon's inspector general's office to launch an evaluation in May.

The evaluation aims to determine whether the Southern Command adhered to target selection protocols during these operations, which have predominantly resulted in casualties in the eastern Pacific waters.