On September 9, 2026, the United States military carried out a lethal kinetic strike on a vessel, reportedly killing three people described as “narco-terrorists” in the Caribbean.

The strike was announced by U.S. Southern Command on September 9th. On Twitter/X, the statement detailed that the strike was on a "go-fast vessel operating along established narco-trafficking routes in the Caribbean. Confirmed intelligence revealed the vessel's active involvement in narco-trafficking.” In a black and white video included in the post, a boat can be seen floating before an explosion. A later view in the video shows dozens of boxes floating.

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 three deaths.