WASHINGTON, D.C. – The United States has confirmed it seized survivors following a military strike on a suspected drug-carrying vessel in the Caribbean on Thursday, marking the first time individuals have been captured alive since President Donald Trump began authorising lethal attacks in the region this summer.
A defense official and another person familiar with the matter confirmed the strike on Friday, speaking on the condition of anonymity as the Trump administration has not yet publicly acknowledged the incident.
Sixth Strike Since August
This is believed to be at least the sixth strike since August, but the first to result in survivors who were reportedly picked up by the U.S. military. The latest operation brings the total death toll from the Trump administration’s military action against vessels in the region to at least 28.
The individuals seized are believed to be held aboard a U.S. military vessel, though their future remains unclear and their legal status is ambiguous.
Justifying Lethal Force
President Trump has justified these military strikes by asserting that the U.S. is engaged in an “armed conflict” with drug cartels. This legal position mirrors the authority used by the Bush administration following the Sept. 11 attacks when it declared a War on Terror.
This interpretation grants the military the ability to:
- Capture and detain combatants.
- Use lethal force to eliminate their leadership.
The survivors of Thursday’s strike now face a complex legal landscape, with questions swirling over whether they will be considered prisoners of war or defendants in a criminal case.
The White House has not yet commented on the strike. Reuters was the first to report the news late Thursday.