Politics
Pentagon releases images of suspected drug boats and reports 67 strikes under Operation Southern Spear
U.S. officials report dozens of lethal strikes against maritime targets over the past year while seeking to expand anti-cartel operations onto land in Latin America.
The short version
- The Pentagon released newly unclassified images showing suspected drug-smuggling fast boats under U.S. military surveillance in late 2025.
- Pentagon Press Secretary Kingsley Wilson confirmed the U.S. military has conducted 67 strikes under Operation Southern Spear since September 2, 2025.
- Recent military strikes include an August 25 attack in the Caribbean that killed four alleged smugglers and an Eastern Pacific strike that killed two people.
- The Trump administration is attempting to expand anti-cartel operations to land, though foreign governments report conflicting details regarding joint agreements.
Key facts
- The Pentagon released newly unclassified images from late 2025 showing suspected drug-smuggling vessels under military surveillance.[Fox News]
- Pentagon Press Secretary Kingsley Wilson reported that Operation Southern Spear has executed 67 strikes since its inception on September 2, 2025.[Fox News]
- U.S. Southern Command stated an August 25 strike on a fast boat in the Caribbean killed four alleged drug smugglers.[Fox News]
- A military strike in the Eastern Pacific killed two individuals days prior to the August 25 Caribbean operation.[Fox News]
- Ecuador began conducting joint operations with the U.S. military in March.[Fox News]
What remains uncertain
- Whether Guatemala agreed to allow U.S. military operations on its soil remains disputed, as Guatemala denied reaching an agreement despite statements from War Secretary Pete Hegseth.[Fox News]