US President Donald Trump announced that American forces successfully targeted and destroyed a large drug-carrying submarine in the Caribbean, which was reportedly heading towards the United States. He stated that if the submarine had reached the shore, it could have resulted in the deaths of at least 25,000 Americans. The operation, which took place on Thursday, involved a military strike that killed two suspected drug traffickers on board the vessel, while two others were rescued and are being sent back to their home countries, Ecuador and Colombia, for prosecution.

In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump described the submarine as being loaded with fentanyl and other illegal drugs. He emphasized, "It was my great honor to destroy a very large DRUG-CARRYING SUBMARINE that was navigating towards the United States on a well known narcotrafficking transit route." The Pentagon released a video showing the strike, which depicted the submarine being hit by a series of explosions.

Colombian President Gustavo Petro confirmed the repatriation of the Colombian suspect, stating, "We are glad he is alive, and he will be prosecuted according to the law." The US military's actions in the Caribbean have raised concerns about legality, as the death toll from these operations has now reached 29 since early September. Trump has framed these strikes as part of an ongoing military campaign against drug cartels, likening the situation to an armed conflict.

The US has not disclosed the submarine's point of origin, but it is believed that such semi-submersible vessels are often constructed in secret shipyards in South America, primarily for transporting cocaine. The recent military actions are part of a broader strategy to combat drug trafficking from Latin America, with the US deploying significant military resources in the region, including guided missile destroyers and fighter jets. Trump reiterated his commitment to fighting narcoterrorism, stating, "America will not tolerate narcoterrorists trafficking illegal drugs, by land or by sea."