The U.S. military conducted another strike on an alleged drug trafficking vessel in the eastern Pacific, part of Operation Southern Spear, which has killed at least 159 people in 46 incidents since September 2025.

While initially reported that three survived, the Coast Guard later confirmed only one person was recovered alive, with two others found dead.

The USSOUTHCOM stated the targeted vessel was on known narcotics routes, though no further details were provided.

Videos of the strike show the small boat engulfed in flames, and the survivor and remains were handed to the Costa Rican Coast Guard, Al-Jazeera has reported.

The campaign has drawn criticism from legal scholars and Democrats, who argue the attacks resemble extrajudicial killings and have raised concerns about the deaths of possible fishermen or informal workers.