Two survivors from drug boat in the Caribbean arrested
President Donald Trump said it was a "drug-carrying submarine built specifically for the transportation of massive amounts of drugs."
The Trump Administration's counternarcotics campaign continues in full force. In that regard, a recent U.S. military raid in the Caribbean Sea against a suspected drug trafficking vessel resulted in some survivors, two of whom were rescued by helicopter and are now in custody aboard an Army vessel.
The event, which occurred yesterday, marks the first instance in this series of military operations aimed at preventing drug trafficking to leave survivors, according to a report from The Hill.
The attack, the sixth targeting vessels allegedly linked to drug traffickers in waters near Venezuela, claimed the lives of two people aboard a semi-submersible. This type of vessel, designed to evade detection, is commonly associated with smuggling routes controlled by cartels, as noted by President Trump.
In that sense, the Republican leader said: "We attacked a submarine. That was a drug-carrying submarine built specifically for the transportation of massive amounts of drugs — just so you understand. This was not an innocent group of people."
The action is part of an escalation in the U.S. military presence in the region, where approximately 10,000 troops now support missions and patrol to prevent the flow of illegal substances into U.S. territory.
This operation is part of a context of intensified U.S. activities. In total, the five previous attacks against similar vessels have resulted in about 27 dead, according to AP.
Pentagon announces retirement of top Southern Command commander
In parallel, the Pentagon confirmed the retirement of Admiral Alvin Holsey, Southern Command's four-star commander, scheduled for Dec. 12, just months after his appointment.
In a post on his X account, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth expressed gratitude for Admiral Halsey's more than 37 years of service, wishing him much success going forward.
Trump's anti-drug campaign
President Donald Trump has pushed this offensive as a pillar of his strategy to combat drug trafficking, including the apparent authorization of CIA operations in Venezuela.
In statements Wednesday, he noted that these missions seek to pressure the tyranny of Nicolas Maduro, described by Washington as illegitimate and responsible for the Cartel of the Suns.
Caribbean region supports measures
In this regard, the countries in the region have expressed their full support for the measures and have aligned themselves with the Republican leader's decision to combat the cartels.
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