<p class="wp-block-paragraph"><a href="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/tag/united-states/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">United States</a> military forces conducted a strike on a suspected drug-trafficking boat in the Caribbean Sea on September 9, resulting in the deaths of three individuals identified as involved in narco-trafficking, according to a release from U.S. <a href="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/4716250/us-forces-sink-refueling-vessel-linked-to-los-choneros/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Southern Command</a>.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The operation was described as a "lethal kinetic strike" executed under the direction of U.S. Southern Command's Joint Task Force Western Hemisphere. The release stated that confirmed intelligence indicated the vessel's active involvement in drug trafficking.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Prior to this operation, the last known strike occurred on August 25, which resulted in the deaths of four suspected drug-traffickers. Southern Command reported that there have been three lethal strikes since August 23, totaling nine fatalities.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">In previous communications, each strike was noted to be conducted under the command of Gen. Francis L. Donovan, who has emphasized the commitment to disrupt narco-trafficking networks in the Western Hemisphere. This recent operation did not specify such a designation.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Donovan stated, "We will not permit narco-terrorists to operate with impunity in the Western Hemisphere, nor will we allow their deadly poison to reach American communities." He characterized the operation as a demonstration of the U.S. military's capabilities.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Since the initiation of military operations against suspected drug-trafficking vessels from South America, there have been 69 known strikes, resulting in 230 fatalities attributed to U.S. Southern Command.</p>