The US military has destroyed a submarine in the Caribbean that was allegedly smuggling drugs, according to President Donald Trump. This incident follows a series of strikes against surface vessels since September, which the US claims were operated by cartels based in Venezuela. The Venezuelan government has been accused by Trump of aiding “narcoterrorists.”

Trump stated that the submarine was specifically designed for transporting large quantities of drugs, emphasizing that it was not an innocent group of people involved. The US Navy has reportedly picked up multiple survivors and detained them on a warship, marking the first time such an incident has occurred.

The US has imposed significant sanctions on Venezuela and recently increased the bounty for the arrest of left-wing President Nicolas Maduro to $50 million. Trump confirmed that he had authorized covert CIA operations in Venezuela but declined to disclose their objectives, including whether they aimed to topple Maduro’s government.

Maduro has rejected what he describes as “CIA-led coups” in the region, calling for peace and stating that Latin America does not want or need such interventions. The Venezuelan government has denied any ties to cartels and vowed to repel any potential invasion.

The destruction of the submarine and the detention of its survivors mark a significant development in the US efforts to combat drug smuggling in the Caribbean. The incident highlights the ongoing tensions between the US and Venezuela, with the US continuing to impose pressure on Maduro’s government. The situation is likely to evolve further, with potential implications for regional security and international relations.