UPDATE: Authorities in the Dominican Republic have just announced the seizure of 377 packages of cocaine from a speedboat destroyed by the U.S. Navy. This urgent operation comes amid a controversial anti-narcotics mission in the southern Caribbean, part of the Trump administration’s ongoing efforts to combat drug trafficking.
In a press conference held earlier today, officials from the Dominican Republic’s National Directorate for Drug Control confirmed that the speedboat was destroyed approximately 80 nautical miles south of Isla Beata. The vessel was reportedly carrying 1,000 kilograms of cocaine and was attempting to dock in the Dominican Republic, aiming to use the country as a “bridge” for transporting drugs to the United States.
“This is the first time in history that the United States and the Dominican Republic have conducted a joint operation against narco-terrorism in the Caribbean,” stated the directorate in an official release. This unprecedented collaboration highlights the intensifying battle against drug trafficking in the region.
The U.S. military has ramped up its presence in the southern Caribbean, deploying eight warships and a submarine as part of its initiative. Since the start of this operation in August 2023, the flotilla has successfully destroyed three speedboats involved in drug transport, resulting in over a dozen casualties aboard those vessels.
However, this aggressive approach has drawn criticism from human rights groups, which argue that the strikes represent extrajudicial killings. In response, two Democratic senators introduced a resolution in Congress aimed at halting further military actions by the administration.
The Trump administration claims that at least two of the destroyed boats originated from Venezuela, whose president, Nicolas Maduro, has been labeled by U.S. officials as a drug trafficker and leader of the notorious Cartel of the Suns. Maduro has firmly denied these allegations, characterizing the U.S. naval buildup as an attack on his country.
As developments unfold, observers are closely watching how this operation will impact the ongoing fight against drug trafficking and the diplomatic relations between the United States and Venezuela. The situation remains fluid, and further updates are expected as authorities continue to monitor the situation closely.
