In a similar military action that took place just a few days earlier, the United States bombed and sunk a submarine thought to be involved in drug trafficking. President Donald Trump called it a “very big submarine transporting drug smuggling to the U.S.” A recent strike in the Caribbean resulted in the tragic loss of two crew members. In the meantime, two of the survivors were arrested.
One survivor—a seventy-one-year-old Ecuadorian man—made it back home to Ecuador. The investigation of the Ecuadorian attorney general’s office concluded that no crime had been committed by him. The office stated there was “no report of a crime that has been brought to the attention of this institution,” leading to the conclusion that he could not be detained.
The other survivor, a Colombian man, was then repatriated to Colombia, where he received substantial medical care. Armando Benedetti, Colombia’s interior minister, reported that the Colombian survivor “arrived with brain trauma, sedated, drugged, breathing with a ventilator.”
Since August, the United States has sent warships to Caribbean waters close to Venezuela. This action reflects its expansionist and aggressive aims to strengthen its capabilities to stop the flow of drug trafficking. These warships have mostly had the purpose of intercepting vessels that U.S. authorities claim are participating in drug smuggling. The military actions that have taken place so far have generated tremendous pushback. As many as 32 people have died, and the leaders of South America are justifiably outraged.
Of all the heads of state, Colombia’s President Gustavo Petro has been the loudest in his condemnation of these U.S. assaults. His government over the past few months has suspended arms imports from the United States, its closest military backer. This decision highlights escalating tensions between Colombia and the U.S. over the military approach to drug trafficking.
Lately, Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa has expressed a strong commitment to fight drug trafficking and illegal mining. He underscores a focus on international cooperation in this ongoing battle. He stated, “Ecuador stands firm in the global fight against drug trafficking and illegal mining, challenges that demand unity among nations committed to peace and prosperity.”
This strike highlights the complexity of international drug trafficking organizations. It showcases the struggles that countries – particularly developing nations – encounter in their efforts to address this urgent challenge. As the conflict plays out, countries on the front lines will need to continue to carefully steer their diplomatic course. They need to do something about the pressing issues posed by drug-related violence and crime.