The U.S. military executed a targeted strike on a suspected drug trafficking vessel in the Caribbean's international waters on Thursday, resulting in the deaths of three individuals onboard. This operation was confirmed by U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who indicated that the vessel was associated with a designated terrorist organization.

Secretary Hegseth announced the action via a post on X, highlighting the vessel's ties to a “Designated Terrorist Organization.” No additional details or evidence about the organization's identity or its specific connection to the vessel were provided.

A 20-second unclassified video shared by Hegseth captures the moment a small boat traverses open water just before a missile strike leads to a massive explosion. The footage has gone viral online, igniting discussions about the operation's nature and implications.

While U.S. defense officials have yet to disclose which military branch executed the strike or what intelligence prompted the assessment of the vessel, preliminary reports indicate that this operation is part of broader efforts to combat drug trafficking and dismantle financial networks supporting terrorism in the area.

The Caribbean Sea has remained a crucial corridor for drug smuggling operations linking South America to North America and Europe. U.S. forces regularly patrol this region as part of multinational efforts aimed at intercepting illicit drug shipments and fighting organized crime.

Although the strike successfully neutralized the targeted vessel, authorities have not yet released the identities of the three individuals killed. The Pentagon has refrained from further official comment, while investigations into the vessel’s origins and cargo are ongoing.

This recent action underscores the commitment of Washington to countering global drug trafficking and thwarting maritime routes exploited by terrorism-linked groups. More information regarding the strike and its alleged terrorist connections is expected as U.S. officials finalize their assessments.