Operation Southern Spear: Why the Crews, Drugs, and Boats are Not Targetable

December 7, 2025

By Michael Schmitt, Tess Bridgeman and Ryan Goodman

The Sept. 2 attack on a boat allegedly carrying drugs has sparked widespread discussion regarding the targetability of the 11 people aboard, including two who survived the first strike, and of the drugs themselves.  Given the administration’s lack of transparency, especially from the Department of Defense, there is widespread speculation about what really happened in this first, highly controversial Operation Southern Spear attack. 

Gerald Ford Striker Group