Trump Sends Two Drug Submarine Survivors to Ecuador, Colombia

President Donald Trump announced on September 30, 2023, that two survivors from a U.S. military operation targeting a drug-carrying submarine will be repatriated to Ecuador and Colombia for prosecution. The military strike occurred on September 28 as the vessel was navigating towards U.S. waters on a known narcotrafficking route.

In a statement on Truth Social, Trump indicated that intelligence reports confirmed the submarine was loaded with fentanyl and other illegal drugs. “It was my great honor to destroy a very large DRUG-CARRYING SUBMARINE that was navigating towards the United States,” he wrote, emphasizing the dangers posed by the cargo. According to Trump, the drugs onboard could have resulted in the deaths of at least 25,000 Americans if they had reached the shore.

The military operation resulted in the deaths of two of the four individuals aboard the submarine, whom Trump referred to as “known narcoterrorists.” No U.S. forces were reported injured during the strike. This incident marks a continuation of U.S. military actions in the region, with the September operation being the sixth targeting narcotraffickers since early September. According to data from NPR, these military operations have claimed the lives of at least 29 individuals associated with drug trafficking.

U.S. Strategy Against Narcotrafficking

Trump’s administration has characterized the ongoing military actions as part of an “armed conflict” with drug cartels, invoking similar legal justifications used by the Bush administration following the September 11 attacks. He stated, “Under my watch, the United States of America will not tolerate narcoterrorists trafficking illegal drugs, by land or by sea.”

The decision to repatriate the survivors to their home countries also raises questions regarding the legal status they would have faced in the U.S. justice system. By sending the suspects back to Ecuador and Colombia, the administration avoids potential complications related to their prosecution within the United States.

The latest operation reflects a broader strategy aimed at disrupting the flow of illegal drugs into the U.S. market, particularly fentanyl, which has been a significant factor in the ongoing opioid crisis. As the U.S. grapples with rising overdose rates, the government’s efforts to dismantle drug trafficking organizations remain a central focus of its law enforcement and military initiatives.

The implications of these military operations extend beyond immediate law enforcement goals, touching upon international relations with Colombia and Ecuador, both of which play critical roles in the global narcotics trade. As the U.S. continues its campaign against drug trafficking, the cooperation and response from these nations will be essential in shaping future strategies.