The U.S. military carried out a lethal strike on a vessel allegedly involved in drug trafficking in the Eastern Pacific, killing two suspected narco-traffickers, U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) said.
The operation was conducted on August 23 by Joint Task Force Western Hemisphere under the direction of SOUTHCOM Commander Gen. Francis L. Donovan. The command said intelligence had confirmed that the low-profile vessel was actively involved in established narcotics-trafficking routes, Caliber.Az reports.
"This operation is a clear and decisive reminder that SOUTHCOM is taking the fight directly to the cartels," SOUTHCOM said in a statement.
Donovan said the Joint Task Force was established to accelerate and coordinate operations against what the U.S. describes as destabilising narco-terrorist networks.
"When I ordered the establishment of Joint Task Force Western Hemisphere, it was precisely for this purpose: to accelerate, synchronize, and execute lethal actions against these destabilizing narco-terrorist networks. We are committed to imposing total systemic friction on narco-terrorists -- disrupting their operations, dismantling their leadership, and eliminating cartel terror across the region," Donovan said.
He added that the United States would not allow suspected narco-traffickers to operate without consequences or their drugs to reach American communities.
"Let me be clear, we will not permit narco-terrorists to operate with impunity in the Western Hemisphere, nor will we allow their deadly poison to reach American communities. This operation is a powerful demonstration of our lethal precision, overwhelming capability, and absolute resolve to protect the U.S. homeland," Gen. Donovan said.
By Sabina Mammadli
