U.S. President Donald Trump officially acknowledged a U.S. military attack on a suspected “drug-carrying submarine” in the Caribbean. The strike reportedly resulted in the deaths of two individuals, with two survivors currently held aboard a navy vessel. Trump, speaking alongside Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the White House, described the targeted submarine as specifically designed for transporting large quantities of drugs. While the exact casualty figures were not disclosed by Trump, Secretary of State Marco Rubio acknowledged the presence of survivors, indicating that further information would be provided later.
According to Reuters, sources familiar with the incident revealed that two individuals survived the attack, potentially marking them as the first prisoners of war in the conflict initiated by Trump against what he terms a “narcoterrorist” threat originating from Venezuela. The Pentagon has yet to comment on the matter.
Before this recent operation, previous U.S. military strikes against suspected drug vessels near Venezuela had not yielded any survivors. These strikes, which commenced in early September, were showcased in videos released by the Trump administration showing the destruction of vessels without revealing information about the individuals onboard or the cargo being transported.
Reports suggest that the submarine targeted in the latest strike may have been a semi-submersible, a vessel resembling a submarine used by drug traffickers to evade detection. Sources familiar with the situation disclosed that a helicopter rescue mission was executed to retrieve the survivors and transport them back to a U.S. warship.
The series of military operations against drug boats in the region have raised concerns among U.S. lawmakers, legal experts, and some members of Congress, including Senators Rand Paul and Lisa Murkowski. The Trump administration’s actions have also drawn criticism for potential violations of international laws of war.
In a separate development, Trump recently authorized the Central Intelligence Agency to conduct covert operations within Venezuela, fueling speculation about U.S. efforts to undermine Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro’s government. The administration has escalated its pressure on Maduro, doubling the reward for information leading to his arrest to $50 million US, alleging his involvement in drug trafficking and criminal activities, charges that Maduro denies.
While Trump has accused Venezuela of being a major hub for fentanyl trafficking, official data indicates that Mexico remains the primary source of fentanyl in the U.S. Venezuela’s historical illicit drug export has predominantly been cocaine.
Colombian President Gustavo Petro, who clashed with the Trump administration over migrant deportations, suggested that Colombian citizens may have been onboard one of the previously targeted vessels. However, the White House dismissed his claims as unfounded. Concerns have also been voiced by Trinidad and Tobago fishermen, who rely on the region’s waters for their livelihood and fear the impact of ongoing military strikes.
Against the backdrop of heightened tensions with Venezuela, the U.S. has bolstered its military presence in the Caribbean, including deploying missile destroyers, F-35 jets, a nuclear submarine, and thousands of troops. The unexpected resignation of Admiral Alvin Holsey, who commands U.S. military forces in Latin America, has raised questions and concerns among lawmakers about the potential for a U.S. confrontation with Venezuela.
The Pentagon’s decision to shift the leadership of counter-narcotics operations from Southern Command to II Marine Expeditionary Force at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina has surprised military experts, given Southern Command’s traditional role in overseeing such operations.
