On August 25, 2026, the United States military carried out a lethal kinetic strike on a vessel, reportedly killing four people described as “narco-terrorists” in the Caribbean.

The strike was announced by U.S. Southern Command on August 25th. On Twitter/X, the statement detailed that “under Gen. Donovan’s direction” the strike was on a "go-fast" vessel which allegedly was “operating along established narco-trafficking routes in the Caribbean. Confirmed intelligence revealed the vessel's active involvement in narco-trafficking.” In a video included in the post, a boat with part of the contents blurred out can be seen moving through the water before a blinding explosion can be seen and then the video ends.

There were no additional details found among local sources about the victims.

Methodological note about classification of those killed in this incident

In documenting this incident, Airwars is following the guidance outlined by independent International Human Rights Law and International Humanitarian Law experts, whereby those on the vessels are understood to be civilians, given that the legal framework in which the strikes are being conducted remains in question.

Airwars has therefore included a civilian casualty count of four deaths.