U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) said Tuesday that U.S. forces struck a drug‑trafficking “go‑fast” vessel in the Caribbean Sea, killing four people the command described as “narco‑terrorists.” The operation was attributed to Joint Task Force Western Hemisphere (JTF‑WHEM), which the command said was activated earlier this month to coordinate U.S. military operations and security efforts with regional partners.
SOUTHCOM said the strike was executed under the direction of its commander, Gen. Francis L. Donovan. “Joint Task Force Western Hemisphere continues executing precise, lethal operations against the cartels. We will hunt, disrupt, and defeat these narco‑terrorist networks,” Donovan said, according to the statement.
Second lethal maritime strike in three days, per command
Tuesday’s announcement followed what SOUTHCOM described as a similar operation on Sunday in the Eastern Pacific. The command said a “lethal kinetic strike” on a low‑profile vessel involved in narco‑trafficking resulted in two deaths. Donovan called that action “a clear and decisive reminder that SOUTHCOM is taking the fight directly to the cartels,” adding, “we will not permit narco‑terrorists to operate with impunity in the Western Hemisphere.”
Command touts new task force and regional network
SOUTHCOM has described JTF‑WHEM as integrating U.S. military capabilities with 18 regional partners in the Americas Counter Cartel Coalition (A3C), also referred to as the “Shield of the Americas.” The source text states the new task force succeeds Operation Southern Spear and names U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Gen. Kevin Jarrard as JTF‑WHEM commander after recent support to State Department disaster‑relief efforts in Venezuela following a June 24 earthquake. “JTF‑WHEM strengthens our ability to work alongside trusted allies and partners,” Donovan said this month, according to the statement.
Prior strike cited in June
Before JTF‑WHEM’s activation, SOUTHCOM last conducted a lethal kinetic strike against a drug‑trafficking vessel in the Caribbean on June 21, the source text says. That operation reportedly left two men dead and six survivors; SOUTHCOM said it alerted the U.S. Coast Guard to activate search and rescue for the survivors.
