JTF-WHEM ends two-week pause with lethal Caribbean strike, killing three

On 9 September, under SOUTHCOM's direction, JTF-WHEM carried out a lethal kinetic strike on a go-fast vessel on established narco-trafficking routes in the Caribbean, killing three people SOUTHCOM described as narco-terrorists based on 'confirmed intelligence' of the vessel's trafficking involvement. It was the campaign's first lethal strike since 25 August, ending a roughly two-week run of non-lethal refueling-vessel interdictions. Gen. Francis Donovan said the operation demonstrated 'lethal precision, overwhelming capability, and absolute resolve to protect the U.S. homeland.' As with prior releases, SOUTHCOM did not name the victims, identify the vessel's flag state, or publish coordinates.