The United States Army has announced the destruction of a drug submarine bound for the mainland, as part of another military operation against cartels in the Caribbean region.
The video of the operation was published on the social network Truth by President Donald Trump, showing the moment when the submarine was pursued by a drone and later struck by a high-precision weapon.
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According to the released information, there were four drug traffickers aboard the vessel: two were killed in the strike and two were rescued. The latter are expected to be deported to their home countries and face charges of international drug trafficking.
Weapon used remains unidentified
In the published videos, fire damage can be seen after impact, but the exact type of weapon used has not been officially confirmed. Analysts suggest it may have been a high-precision Hellfire missile or a laser-guided bomb.
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Part of a new strategy
On October 3, US authorities had already reported the destruction of four drug-smuggling vessels in the same region. The US government describes these actions as part of a new, tougher strategy to combat drug trafficking and maritime smuggling.
According to Washington, drug cartels are now officially classified as “terrorist organizations,” which authorizes direct military operations against their assets. This policy, however, has sparked controversy—critics warn of possible violations of international and ethical laws, while outlets such as The Wall Street Journal urge the Pentagon to provide a formal and transparent justification for these missions.
Expanded operations and reinforced military presence
US authorities emphasize that these actions are being carried out exclusively in international waters, focusing on criminal groups responsible for “poisoning the American people” with illicit drugs.
On September 27, NBC News reported that Washington was also considering airstrikes against cartels located in Venezuela, and independent sources mentioned plans to deploy ten F-35 fighters to Puerto Rico as part of the expanding anti-cartel operation.
Source and images: White House X @WhiteHouse | DOW Rapid Response X @DOWResponse. This content was created with the assistance of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
