The U.S. military's latest strike on an alleged drug-trafficking boat in the eastern Pacific Ocean killed two men Friday while leaving one survivor.

Video posted on social media by U.S. Southern Command shows a black, boat-shaped image before what appears to be an explosion, followed by a column of fire rising from the ocean.

US Attacks on 'Narco-Boats' Have Killed 192 Since September

The US is intensifying its fight against drug smuggling by treating cartels as narco-terrorists, using satellites, aircraft and joint task forces to track stealth vessels, seize record cocaine hauls and, in some cases, launching airstrikes signalling a more militarised anti-drug policy.


How the US targets drug-smuggling vessels and what it reveals about narco-terrorism policy

The United States conducted strikes on three vessels suspected of narco-trafficking in international waters on December 30, as announced by U.S. Southern Command, with three narco-terrorists killed on the first boat while others abandoned the convoy and jumped overboard before the remaining vessels were sunk. Video footage released shows the engagements, confirming the operation's success amid ongoing efforts to combat drug trafficking networks in the region.

US Strikes Sink Three Suspected Narco Vessels in International Waters

President Trump announced that U.S. forces executed a precision strike on a drug-smuggling vessel linked to Venezuela’s Tren de Aragua cartel. The operation, part of an intensified anti-cartel campaign, resulted in the vessel being destroyed in international waters, killing 11 Narcoterrorists.

Trump announces U.S. Forces killed 11 Narco-terrorists linked to Maduro 