In a significant escalation of its anti-narcotics operations, the United States military launched a strike on a suspected drug-carrying submarine in the Caribbean, marking the first instance of survivors being captured since President Donald Trump initiated these aggressive measures last month. The strike, confirmed by Trump during a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the White House, targeted a vessel allegedly designed for transporting large quantities of drugs. Secretary of State Rubio acknowledged the presence of survivors but deferred detailed comments pending further investigation. This operation brings the death toll from the Trump administration’s military actions in the region to at least 28. The survivors, now in U.S. custody aboard a Navy vessel, face an uncertain legal future, with questions arising about their status as prisoners of war or criminal defendants. The administration has justified these strikes under the legal authority used in the post-9/11 war on terror, though some legal experts have raised concerns about the legality and international implications of such actions. The strikes have also sparked bipartisan unease in Congress, with lawmakers demanding more transparency and oversight. Meanwhile, reports suggest Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has attempted to negotiate with the U.S. by offering stakes in Venezuela’s oil and mineral wealth, though these overtures have been rejected by the White House.
US has seized survivors after strike on suspected drug-carrying vessel in Caribbean, AP sources say
