U.S. President Donald Trump announced a U.S. military attack on a suspected “drug-carrying submarine” in the Caribbean. Following the strike, reports emerged that the military is detaining two survivors on a navy vessel after the operation resulted in the deaths of two individuals.
During a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the White House, Trump confirmed the strike on the submarine, which he described as being designed to transport large quantities of drugs. While the exact casualty figures were not disclosed, Secretary of State Marco Rubio acknowledged the existence of survivors without providing further details.
According to Reuters, sources familiar with the matter revealed that two survivors were recovered following the strike, marking the first time survivors have been reported in U.S. military actions against suspected drug boats near Venezuela. The Pentagon has yet to comment on the incident.
Prior to this incident, previous U.S. military strikes against drug boats near Venezuela had not yielded any known survivors. These strikes, initiated in early September, have been showcased through videos depicting the destruction of vessels, though information regarding the occupants or cargo has not been publicly disclosed.
Reports suggest that the submarine targeted in the recent strike may have been a semi-submersible vessel utilized by drug traffickers to evade detection. It was reported that a helicopter rescue operation was conducted to retrieve the survivors and transport them back to a U.S. warship.
U.S. lawmakers have raised concerns about the military strikes, with the Trump administration stating that previous operations resulted in the deaths of 27 individuals. Questions have been raised regarding the legality of these actions, with some experts and lawmakers questioning their adherence to international laws.
In a separate development, Trump disclosed that he had authorized covert operations by the Central Intelligence Agency inside Venezuela, fueling speculation about U.S. intentions towards Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. The administration has increased its reward for information leading to Maduro’s arrest, accusing him of connections to drug trafficking and criminal organizations, claims that Maduro denies.
Despite Trump’s assertions of Venezuela’s involvement in drug trafficking, official records indicate that Mexico is the primary source of fentanyl trafficking, while historically, Venezuela’s main illicit drug export has been cocaine.
Colombian President Gustavo Petro recently suggested that Colombian citizens may have been present on one of the targeted vessels, drawing criticism from the White House for his comments. Meanwhile, concerns have been raised by fishermen in Trinidad and Tobago, who rely on the waters for their livelihood, regarding the impact of the military strikes.
The military buildup in the Caribbean, including various military assets and personnel, has heightened tensions in the region. The unexpected resignation of Admiral Alvin Holsey, who leads U.S. military forces in Latin America, has raised concerns among lawmakers about the potential for escalating confrontations with Venezuela.
The Pentagon’s decision to shift the leadership of counter-narcotics operations to II Marine Expeditionary Force has surprised military observers, as such operations are typically overseen by Southern Command.
