Caribbean

U.S. Forces Kill Three in Strike on Suspected Drug-Trafficking Boat in Caribbean

U.S. military forces killed three people Wednesday in a strike on a go-fast vessel traveling through the Caribbean that U.S. Southern Command says was actively involved in drug trafficking. Joint Task Force Western Hemisphere carried out what SOUTHCOM described as a “lethal kinetic strike” on September 9 under the command's direction. According to SOUTHCOM, the vessel was operating along established narcotics-trafficking routes in the Caribbean and intelligence had confirmed its involvement in trafficking activity. The military described the three people killed as “narco-terrorists.” However, SOUTHCOM did not identify any of them, provide their nationalities or name a cartel, gang or other organization with which they were allegedly affiliated. The command also did not disclose where in the Caribbean the strike occurred, whether the vessel was in international waters, where it had departed from or where it was headed. There was no indication in the announcement that the operation oc...