Three killekd as US targets vessel in Pacific

At least three people were killed after US forces targeted a vessel in the eastern Pacific Ocean during what Washington described as a counter-narcotics operation.

The US Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) said on X that the operation was launched on Friday after authorities received intelligence about suspected illegal activity involving a vessel believed to be linked to drug trafficking.

According to the military, the vessel was pursued and subsequently targeted as part of a joint task force operation led by SOUTHCOM. The command also released video footage of the mission.

US officials have not disclosed the identities of those killed or the nationality of the vessel involved.

The operation comes amid an intensified US campaign against drug trafficking networks in the Pacific region. International media reports say vessels suspected of links to transnational smuggling operations, including some connected to Venezuela, have been under increased surveillance in recent months.