WASHINGTON, Feb. 20 (Xinhua) -- U.S. forces struck an alleged drug boat in the eastern Pacific on Friday, killing three men on board, the U.S. Southern Command said.

"Intelligence confirmed the vessel was transiting along known narco-trafficking routes in the Eastern Pacific and was engaged in narco-trafficking operations," the command said on X, providing no evidence.

No U.S. military forces were harmed, it noted.

According to Fox News, the Pentagon has conducted at least 43 strikes against alleged drug-trafficking vessels in the Caribbean and the eastern Pacific, claiming at least 148 lives. ■