U.S. Military Engages Suspected Drug Boat Near Dominican Republic,Third Such Incident This Month
the U.S. military recently intercepted and disabled a speedboat traveling toward the Dominican Republic, suspected of being used to transport narcotics to the United States. This marks the third instance this month of U.S. forces engaging vessels in the Caribbean believed to be involved in the drug trade,raising questions about escalating tactics in the region and the flow of illicit substances.
According to former President Donald Trump,who announced the latest operation on his truth Social platform,the incident occurred in international waters along a “well-known drug trade route.” The Dominican Republic’s DNCD (National drug Control directorate) confirmed the recovery of 377 packages of drugs from the sea following what they termed a “military air raid,” though 60 packages were destroyed in an explosion during the operation.Authorities are investigating the origin of the drugs and those responsible for the transport.
This latest engagement follows two prior incidents reported by Trump, resulting in a total of fourteen confirmed fatalities. The first attack left eleven people dead, while the second resulted in three deaths. The dominican authorities have not released casualty figures for the most recent operation, but Trump stated three individuals were killed.
The Dominican Republic shares the island of Hispaniola with Haiti, a region frequently cited as a transit point for drugs destined for the U.S. market. The U.S. military has previously engaged and disabled boats in the Caribbean suspected of drug trafficking, but the frequency of these incidents this month signals a potential shift in strategy to disrupt the flow of narcotics. Investigations are ongoing to determine the specific details of the drug transport and the nationalities of those involved.