US Southern Command ushered in the New Year with decisive military action against drug smuggling operations in the Caribbean Sea and Eastern Pacific. On New Year’s Eve, the command targeted two drug trafficking vessels, resulting in the death of five individuals linked to narco-terrorism. This aggressive approach has led to more than 114 traffickers killed since September, alongside the destruction of 35 boats involved in these operations.
The precise location of the latest strike remains undisclosed, but it continues a pattern of intensified engagement by US forces against drug smugglers. A notable incident occurred on December 30, when three more drug-smuggling boats were destroyed, eliminating three additional narco-terrorists. “The remaining narco-terrorists abandoned the other two vessels, jumping overboard and distancing themselves before follow-on engagements sank their respective vessels,” SOUTHCOM reported.
President Trump confirmed a significant land strike against a drug trafficking facility in Venezuela during this period, emphasizing the seriousness of the threat posed by these operations. “There was a major explosion in the dock area where they load the boats up with drugs,” he remarked. This statement underscores the urgency and scale of the offensive against drug traffickers, particularly those involved with fentanyl, a dangerous substance described as a “weapon of mass destruction.”
The two vessels targeted on New Year’s Eve were reported to be operating along established narco-trafficking routes. The military’s actions are a clear signal of its commitment to dismantling these operations and disrupting the flow of drugs into the United States. The aim is not just to target the vessels but to send a message to those involved in these illegal activities.
As 2023 begins, the US military’s focus remains sharp on eliminating threats from narco-terrorists. With New Year’s fireworks metaphorically mirrored in the explosive actions taken against drug boats, SOUTHCOM is actively shaping its narrative of a tough, responsive approach to national security challenges stemming from drug trafficking.
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