Jan. 23 (UPI) -- Two were killed and another survived a lethal kinetic strike on an alleged drug vessel in the Eastern Pacific Ocean, U.S. Southern Command announced on Friday.
Personnel with Joint Task Force Southern Spear conducted the strike "on a vessel operated by designated terrorist organizations" at the direction of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Southcom officials said in a news release.
"Intelligence confirmed the vessel was transiting along known narco-trafficking routes in the Eastern Pacific and was engaged in narco-trafficking operations," the release continued.
"Two narco-terrorists were killed, and one survived the strike. Following the engagement, U.S. Southcom immediately notified [the] U.S. Coast Guard to activate the Search and Rescue system for the survivor."
The Defense Department did not provide any more information on the strike, which was the first reported since U.S. forces captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and first lady Cilia Flores on Jan. 3.
