In a recent Caribbean operation, the US military struck what it called a "drug-carrying submarine" loaded with fentanyl and other narcotics along a known transit route.
President Donald Trump announced the strike on his Truth Social platform, sharing footage of a semi-submersible vessel being hit by a projectile. He said, "Two of the terrorists were killed. The two surviving terrorists are being returned to their countries of origin, Ecuador and Colombia, for detention and prosecution."
The two survivors have been repatriated—one to Ecuador, the other to Colombia—where they face legal action. Colombian President Gustavo Petro confirmed the return and pledged to prosecute the suspect under domestic law.
Since September, at least six vessels, mostly speedboats, have been targeted by US strikes in the Caribbean. Officials claim these operations aim to choke off the flow of drugs from Latin America to the US, with Venezuela cited as a frequent launch point.
However, the campaign has raised questions among legal experts and lawmakers over compliance with international law. Critics argue the strikes risk violating sovereignty and the laws of war without clear evidence or UN mandates.
Adding to regional tensions, the US has deployed guided missile destroyers, F-35 fighter jets, a nuclear submarine and roughly 6,500 troops to the Caribbean. Meanwhile, Venezuela's government has denounced the strikes as a pretext for regime change.
Experts say this operation highlights the evolving tactics in the global fight against narcotics, blending military force with transnational law enforcement. For digital nomads, entrepreneurs and activists alike, it underscores a pressing question: how far should nations go in pursuing security without sparking diplomatic fallout?
As both sides prepare for potential escalation, the world watches a complex chess game where drug policy, military strategy and international law intersect.
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U.S. to repatriate survivors of strike on 'drug-carrying submarine'
cgtn.com
