The United States military carried out a lethal strike on a suspected drug-trafficking vessel in the eastern Pacific Ocean on Monday, killing one person, according to US Southern Command (SOUTHCOM).

US officials said the strike targeted a “low-profile vessel” operating in international waters along routes commonly associated with narcotics trafficking.

SOUTHCOM reported that the vessel was allegedly operated by organisations designated by the United States as terrorist groups. The command added that no US personnel were injured during the operation.

The strike was conducted under Operation Southern Spear, an ongoing US military campaign aimed at curbing drug trafficking by sea.

Since early September, US forces have struck at least 29 vessels suspected of involvement in narcotics operations in the eastern Pacific and Caribbean regions. According to US authorities, these strikes have resulted in at least 105 fatalities.

SOUTHCOM stated that, the military did not identify those killed, provide public evidence confirming the presence of drugs onboard, or name the specific organisation allegedly operating the vessel.

On Dec. 22, at the direction of @SecWar Pete Hegseth, Joint Task Force Southern Spear conducted a lethal kinetic strike on a low-profile vessel operated by Designated Terrorist Organizations in international waters. Intelligence confirmed the low-profile vessel was transiting… pic.twitter.com/LGzEaQSTiR

— U.S. Southern Command (@Southcom) December 23, 2025

The US administration has described those killed during the campaign as unlawful combatants, citing a classified Justice Department assessment that it says permits lethal action without prior judicial review.

US officials have maintained that drug trafficking groups often rely on semi-submersible or low-profile vessels to move narcotics while attempting to avoid detection.

The military has previously reported striking similar vessels, including an alleged drug-trafficking submarine in the Caribbean in October, an incident that resulted in two deaths and two survivors who were later repatriated.

President Donald Trump has accused the Venezuelan government of exploiting US interests and has stepped up efforts to restrict the country’s oil trade.

Last week, Trump ordered a total blockade of sanctioned oil tankers travelling to and from Venezuela. US forces have since intercepted two tankers off the Venezuelan coast this month and are reported to be pursuing another.

Trump recently declined to clarify Washington’s long-term objectives in Venezuela but warned that further escalation remained possible. He suggested that Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro faced serious consequences if he continued to resist US pressure.

Venezuela has strongly criticised the US actions. In a letter signed by Maduro and read publicly by Foreign Minister Yván Gil, the Venezuelan government warned that the naval blockade could disrupt global energy supplies.

Caracas also described the US military deployment in the Caribbean as a direct threat involving the use of force.

The Venezuelan government further condemned US attacks on vessels in both the Caribbean and Pacific regions, characterising them as a systematic use of lethal force that it said fell outside international law.

Opponents argue that carrying out lethal strikes against potentially unarmed vessels in international waters without judicial oversight may violate international law and could constitute war crimes.

References: CNN, firstpost