U.S. President Donald Trump acknowledged a recent 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, while two survivors are said to be in custody aboard a navy ship.
Details regarding the casualties and survivors of the operation were not fully disclosed. Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed the existence of survivors but withheld specific information pending further updates. The information about the survivors was initially reported by Reuters, suggesting that they may be the first detainees in the conflict declared by Trump against a perceived “narcoterrorist” threat from Venezuela.
The Pentagon has yet to provide an official statement regarding the incident. Prior to this operation, previous U.S. military actions against suspected drug vessels near Venezuela had not yielded any known survivors. The recent strike, which occurred on Thursday, targeted a vessel believed to be a semi-submersible, a type of craft commonly 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 back to an American warship. The series of strikes in the region has raised concerns among U.S. lawmakers, legal experts, and bipartisan politicians about compliance with international laws of war.
President Trump’s administration has intensified its actions against Venezuela, including authorizing covert CIA operations within the country. The U.S. government has accused Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro of involvement in drug trafficking and criminal activities, leading to increased tensions between the two nations.
The recent military activities in the Caribbean, which involve a significant U.S. naval presence and troops, coincide with the unexpected resignation of Admiral Alvin Holsey, the top U.S. military official in Latin America. The timing of Holsey’s departure has sparked speculation regarding the administration’s military strategy and potential conflicts in the region.
As the situation continues to evolve, concerns persist over the implications of the U.S. military operations and the broader geopolitical implications in the ongoing conflict with Venezuela.