Americas
US strike on alleged drug boat kills 4, bringing death toll to 174
Stars and Stripes
April 15, 2026
This screenshot from an unclassified video posted to X by U.S. Southern Command shows an alleged drug trafficking boat in the eastern Pacific ocean. The U.S. military has conducted another strike on an alleged drug trafficking boat in the eastern Pacific Ocean on April 14, 2026. (U.S. Southern Command)
The U.S. military carried out a strike Tuesday on an alleged drug trafficking boat in the eastern Pacific Ocean, leaving four dead, according to a statement from U.S. Southern Command.
That strike brings the death toll from Operation Southern Spear to at least 174.
The campaign against drug trafficking in Latin America continues amid the U.S. military’s focus on the Middle East and the conflict with Iran.
“Four male narco-terrorists were killed during this action,” the statement said. “No U.S. military forces were harmed.”
SOUTHCOM released an unclassified 16-second video on X showing the strike.
The strikes followed another on Monday that left two dead and strikes on Saturday against two boats in the Eastern Pacific.