U.S. President Donald Trump confirmed a military strike on a suspected drug-carrying submarine in the Caribbean during a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the White House. The strike reportedly resulted in the deaths of two individuals, with two survivors currently held aboard a navy ship.
While details on casualties were not provided by Trump, Secretary of State Marco Rubio acknowledged the presence of survivors without elaborating further. Reuters, citing three sources familiar with the incident, revealed the existence of the survivors, possibly the first POWs in Trump’s campaign against a perceived “narcoterrorist” threat linked to Venezuela.
The Pentagon has not responded to requests for comments on the matter. Prior to this incident, previous military strikes by the U.S. against suspected drug boats near Venezuela had not yielded any known survivors. The strikes, initiated in early September, were showcased through videos showing vessels being destroyed, although specific information regarding the individuals on board or the cargo has not been publicly disclosed.
According to sources, the targeted vessel on Thursday was possibly a semi-submersible that submerged underwater, a common tactic used by drug traffickers to evade detection. Reports indicate that a helicopter rescue operation was conducted by the U.S. military to retrieve the survivors and transport them to a U.S. warship.
The Trump administration’s military actions have faced scrutiny, with previous strikes reportedly resulting in the deaths of 27 people. Legal experts and lawmakers, including some Republicans, have raised concerns about the adherence of these strikes to international laws governing armed conflicts.
In a separate development, Trump disclosed authorizing covert CIA operations within Venezuela, fueling speculation about U.S. efforts aimed at toppling President Nicolas Maduro’s government. The administration has intensified pressure on Maduro, doubling the reward for information leading to his arrest to $50 million US, citing alleged links to drug trafficking.
While Trump has accused Venezuela of being a major hub for fentanyl trafficking, official records suggest Mexico is the primary source of fentanyl in the U.S., with Venezuela historically known for cocaine exports.
Colombian President Gustavo Petro hinted that Colombian citizens may have been onboard one of the bombed vessels, drawing condemnation from the White House. Concerns have also been voiced by Trinidad and Tobago fishermen, who rely on the affected waters for their livelihood.
The military escalation in the Caribbean, including the presence of warships, fighter jets, and troops, has raised tensions in the region. The sudden resignation of Adm. Alvin Holsey, the top U.S. military commander in Latin America, has sparked concerns among lawmakers about the potential for a U.S.-Venezuela confrontation.
The Pentagon’s decision to change the leadership of counter-narcotics operations, shifting responsibility from Southern Command to II Marine Expeditionary Force, has raised eyebrows among military analysts, given the usual chain of command for such operations.
