War Department launches New Year's Eve strikes on drug boats, killing five alleged narco-terrorists

SOUTHCOM said the New Year's Eve strikes were ordered by War Secretary Pete Hegseth as part of Operation Southern Spear, and the boats were operated by designated terrorist organizations, though it did not specify which ones.

Published: January 1, 2026 9:47am

Updated: January 1, 2026 9:51am

United States Southern Command announced Wednesday night that its latest strike on two alleged drug trafficking vessels killed a total of five "narco-terrorists." 

The Trump administration has largely been attacking alleged drug boats from Venezuela in its fight against drug cartels, and has conducted over two dozen strikes so far, which have now killed at least 112 alleged "narco-terrorists." 

SOUTHCOM said the New Year's Eve strikes were ordered by War Secretary Pete Hegseth as part of Operation Southern Spear, and the boats were operated by designated terrorist organizations, though it did not specify which ones.

"Intelligence confirmed the vessels were transiting along known narco-trafficking routes and engaged in narco-trafficking," SOUTHCOM wrote on X. "A total of five narco-terrorists were killed during these actions - three in the first vessel and two in the second."

The military strike was part of the Trump administration's efforts to curb illicit drug smuggling operations into the U.S. 

Misty Severi is a news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.

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