A small boat destroyed by the US SOUTHCOM before the last extrajudicial killing carried out on April 26, 2026. Photo: X/@Southcom.
Caracas (OrinocoTribune.com)—US Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) reported two new “kinetic strikes” in the Eastern Pacific this week, bringing the total number of deaths in its ongoing imperialist campaign to 173. Despite the persistent use of the term “survivors” in initial military reports, the lethal pattern of these operations continues to draw sharp condemnation from international legal experts and human rights advocates.
On Friday, April 24, US Joint Task Force Southern Spear conducted a strike against a small boat in the Eastern Pacific, resulting in two fatalities. This was followed by another engagement on Sunday, April 26, also in the Eastern Pacific, which resulted in three additional deaths. Both operations were carried out as part of the US military’s bloody maritime campaign, which US and international experts have long labeled as a spree of extrajudicial killings.
On April 26, at the direction of #SOUTHCOM commander Gen. Francis L. Donovan, Joint Task Force Southern Spear conducted a lethal kinetic strike on a vessel operated by Designated Terrorist Organizations. Intelligence confirmed the vessel was transiting along known… pic.twitter.com/br2znnUM1x
— U.S. Southern Command (@Southcom) April 27, 2026
Analysts have noted that the “survivor” designation is often a temporary label used by SOUTHCOM to deflect immediate criticism. Historically, individuals initially reported as survivors are almost invariably added to the death toll once search-and-rescue operations are terminated.
The lack of transparency, combined with the summary execution of individuals on small boats—frequently referred to as “vessels” by the military to circumvent maritime protections—violates international law and the right to due process.
The campaign has effectively turned SOUTHCOM into “judge, jury, and executioner” on the high seas. While the US characterizes these actions as necessary counter-narcotics measures, legal scholars have noted that the US’s systematic use of lethal force against unarmed individuals is similar to the Israeli approach which exhibits total disregard for human life and international legal frameworks.
Statistical analysis
According to the latest data tracked by Orinoco Tribune, the death toll from these maritime operations has reached a grim new milestone. Since the strikes began in September 2025, a total of 173 people have been murdered in 52 separate strikes.
The statistical breakdown of the 173 fatalities highlights the geographical distribution of the violence:
• Eastern Pacific: 109 deaths recorded in 36 strikes.
• Caribbean Sea: 64 deaths recorded in 16 strikes.
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The data continues to reflect a near-total death rate. While search-and-rescue operations are occasionally mentioned, they are typically terminated shortly after the “kinetic” engagement, leading to victims being presumed dead without trial, formal identification, or any further public update. This consistent lack of accountability has fueled international calls for an independent investigation into what is described as a systematic policy of extrajudicial executions.
Special for Orinoco Tribune by staff
OT/JRE/SL
