Background on the Incident
In August, the U.S. government initiated a military campaign in Caribbean international waters to curb drug trafficking from Latin America to the United States. This campaign involves deploying warships and aircraft.
The Attack
On Truth Social, President Donald Trump announced the successful destruction of a large submarine carrying drugs, including fentanyl, towards the U.S. via a known drug trafficking route.
The attack resulted in the death of two crew members, while two survivors—an Ecuadorian and a Colombian national—were apprehended.
U.S. Actions and Controversy
Since early September, the U.S. Navy has conducted at least six attacks against suspected drug-trafficking vessels, resulting in the deaths of 27 alleged drug traffickers.
The U.S. government claims these operations have reduced drug entry into the country, though no evidence has been provided to confirm the identities of the deceased as drug traffickers.
Legal experts have raised concerns about the legality of such forceful attacks in international waters against undetained and uninterrogated suspects.
Venezuela’s Alleged Involvement
The U.S. government accuses Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro of leading the supposed “Cartel of the Suns” drug trafficking network.
President Trump has recently considered launching land-based attacks in Venezuela, where he authorized covert CIA operations.
Caracas denies these allegations, claiming they are attempts by the U.S. to provoke a change in Venezuela’s government.
Submersible Usage
Semi-submersibles, constructed in clandestine shipyards within the jungle, have been used for years to transport cocaine from South America—especially Colombia—to Central America or Mexico, typically through the Pacific Ocean.
Key Questions and Answers
- Who was involved in the Caribbean submarine attack? The U.S. targeted a submarine suspected of transporting drugs, resulting in the death of two crew members and the capture of two survivors—an Ecuadorian and a Colombian national.
- What is the U.S. military campaign in the Caribbean aiming to achieve? The campaign seeks to curb drug trafficking from Latin America to the United States by deploying warships and aircraft in Caribbean international waters.
- How many people have been killed in the U.S. anti-drug operations since September? At least 27 alleged drug traffickers have been killed in six attacks against suspected drug-trafficking vessels since early September.
- What are the concerns surrounding the U.S. actions? Legal experts question the legality of forceful attacks in international waters against undetained and uninterrogated suspects.
- What is the U.S. alleging against Venezuela? The U.S. government accuses Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro of leading a drug trafficking network, the “Cartel of the Suns.”
- How have semi-submersibles been used in drug trafficking? These clandestinely built vessels have been employed for years to transport cocaine from South America, primarily Colombia, to Central America or Mexico via the Pacific Ocean.
