After an American military operation targeted a suspected drug-carrying vessel in the Caribbean, two survivors will be repatriated to their home countries, Ecuador and Colombia, according to U.S. President Donald Trump. The military intervened to rescue the survivors following the strike on a submersible vessel, marking the sixth such incident since early September.
In a social media post, Trump expressed pride in destroying a large drug-carrying submarine heading towards the United States on a known drug trafficking route. U.S. Intelligence confirmed the vessel was primarily loaded with Fentanyl and other illegal drugs.
The Pentagon released a brief black-and-white video of the strike after Trump’s announcement. The footage showed the vessel moving through the water with its front partially submerged, followed by explosions, including at least one at the rear of the vessel.
The president confirmed that two individuals on board were killed, one more than initially reported. The surviving pair will be sent to their respective countries for detention and prosecution. With the death toll now confirmed, U.S. military actions against vessels in the region have resulted in at least 29 fatalities.
Trump justified the strikes by citing an “armed conflict” with drug cartels, using legal authority similar to that employed during the war on terrorism after the September 11 attacks. He considers the suspected traffickers as enemy combatants in a traditional war scenario.
The decision to repatriate the survivors circumvents potential legal challenges in the U.S. justice system and addresses concerns over the detention of combatants in the global war on terrorism. Some legal experts question the legality of Trump’s use of military force against drug cartels and covert actions within Venezuela, potentially targeting President Nicolas Maduro.
Reports suggest that Maduro offered a stake in Venezuela’s resources to alleviate pressure from the U.S., but these offers were rejected by the White House. The military strikes in the Caribbean have raised bipartisan unease in Congress, with concerns over the lack of transparency in the operations. Despite criticisms, most Republican senators supported the administration’s actions, while there are efforts to require congressional approval for future strikes and prevent unauthorized attacks on Venezuela.