The U.S. Navy is detaining two survivors from a strike on an alleged drug-trafficking vessel in the Caribbean, CNN reported, citing U.S. officials.
The operation, conducted Thursday, marked the sixth known strike on suspected “narco-terrorist” vessels under President Donald Trump but was the first where anyone survived.
A new, seemingly not yet publicly disclosed U.S. strike on a boat in the Caribbean has left survivors for the first time, according to a U.S. official. The U.S. bombed what they claim is a drug trade-related vessel but left survivors. https://t.co/ji6i2oIpoU
— Truthout (@truthout) October 17, 2025
President Trump confirmed a U.S. strike on a “drug-carrying submarine” in the Caribbean while hosting Ukraine’s president. Secretary of State Rubio acknowledged survivors but withheld further details.
When asked at the White House, Trump said U.S. forces had targeted a “drug-carrying submarine built for transporting massive amounts of narcotics,” emphasizing that “this was not an innocent group of people.”
'MADE IT OUT ALIVE': The U.S. reportedly has seized two survivors from a Thursday drone strike against a suspected smuggling vessel. The Trump administration has targeted drug cartels in the Caribbean in a series of military strikes in an effort to dismantle their operations. pic.twitter.com/ZlYaJnVDHd
— Fox News (@FoxNews) October 17, 2025
Legal experts are questioning the administration’s authority to hold the men. Former State Department lawyer Brian Finucane noted that Congress has not authorized military action against drug traffickers, raising concerns about the constitutional basis of such detentions.
The detainees could challenge their captivity through habeas corpus petitions, which might test the limits of Trump’s Article II war powers.
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