Dominican Republic – Authorities in the Dominican Republic have recovered a massive haul of cocaine after a speedboat carrying roughly 1,000 kilograms (2,200 pounds) of the drug was destroyed in a U.S. Navy operation, marking the first joint anti-narcotics mission of its kind in the Caribbean.
Drugs Recovered After Aerial Strike
The Dominican Republic’s National Directorate for Drug Control (DNCD) confirmed that 377 packages of cocaine were recovered from the destroyed speedboat. The seizure came after an aerial military strike by the United States targeted the vessel, which was reportedly transporting narcotics south of Isla Beata, a Dominican Republic island.
Officials said the boat had been attempting to dock in the Dominican Republic to use the nation as a “bridge” for trafficking cocaine to the United States. Video footage released by the authorities showed officers inspecting bricks of cocaine, some labeled with the word “MEN”.
“This is the first time in history that the United States and the Dominican Republic carry out a joint operation against narco-terrorism in the Caribbean,” the DNCD said in a statement.
Regional Naval Build-Up
In August, the U.S. deployed eight warships and a submarine to the southern Caribbean in a mission aimed at fighting drug trafficking. The White House reported that the flotilla has destroyed at least three cocaine-carrying boats, resulting in more than a dozen deaths aboard the vessels.
While officials have not confirmed casualties in the strike near the Dominican Republic, human rights groups have raised concerns about extra-judicial killings during these operations. On Friday, two Democratic senators introduced a resolution in Congress seeking to limit further strikes.
Venezuela Ties and U.S. Accusations
The U.S. has alleged that two of the sunken boats originated in Venezuela, whose President Nicolás Maduro is described by the White House as leading a drug trafficking network known as the Cartel of the Suns. Maduro denied the charges and condemned the U.S. naval presence in the Caribbean, calling it “an absolutely criminal and bloody threat.”
Recent incidents included Venezuelan fighter jets flying near U.S. naval ships, which Defense officials described as a “game of chicken,” and accusations against the U.S. of seizing a Venezuelan fishing vessel and temporarily detaining nine fishermen.
U.S. Anti-Cartel Operations Continue
The U.S. Navy has maintained a significant presence in the region, deploying several warships near Venezuelan waters and stationing 10 F-35 fighter jets in Puerto Rico for anti-cartel operations. These efforts underscore ongoing tensions in the Caribbean as the U.S. escalates its campaign against narcotics trafficking in collaboration with regional partners.
What This Means for the Region
Authorities emphasize that the joint operation is a historic step in U.S.-Dominican cooperation against narco-terrorism. Residents and maritime operators are urged to stay alert to naval patrols and comply with official advisories, as the Caribbean remains a high-risk corridor for drug trafficking.
How do you view this unprecedented joint operation? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
