U.S. Military Strike Kills 2 in Pacific

Southcom's new commander authorized the operation targeting a suspected drug smuggling boat.

Published on Feb. 6, 2026

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A U.S. military strike in the eastern Pacific Ocean on Thursday killed two people aboard a boat that was suspected of drug trafficking, according to the U.S. Southern Command. The strike was the first authorized by Southcom's new commander, Gen. Francis L. Donovan, who took charge of U.S. military operations in Latin America and the Caribbean earlier that day.

Why it matters

The U.S. has ramped up its campaign of lethal strikes against suspected drug smugglers in recent years, drawing criticism from legal experts who argue the killings are extrajudicial and target civilians not posing an imminent threat.

The details

A 12-second video clip accompanying the announcement showed the boat traveling across the water with two people at the rear, near the outboard motors, and then a sudden explosion that set the vessel ablaze. Southcom said unspecified intelligence had determined the boat was 'engaged in narco-trafficking operations' and was following a known drug smuggling route.

  • The strike occurred on Thursday, February 6, 2026.
  • Gen. Francis L. Donovan took command of Southcom earlier that same day.

The players

Gen. Francis L. Donovan

The new commander of the U.S. Southern Command who authorized the strike.

U.S. Southern Command

The U.S. military command responsible for operations in Latin America and the Caribbean.

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The takeaway

This incident highlights the ongoing controversy over the U.S. military's use of lethal force against suspected drug smugglers, with critics arguing the strikes violate international law and target civilians without due process.