The latest U.S. military strike in the Caribbean against an alleged drug boat left multiple survivors, with two being detained and currently held on a Navy ship, according to multiple news outlets.
Two individuals were killed in the Thursday strike against the vessel, which was purportedly smuggling illegal drugs, according to Reuters, which first reported on the development Thursday night.
The action appears to be the first strike by the Trump administration that left survivors since the military action against the drug cartels in the Caribbean off Venezuela began in early September. It is unclear what the U.S. will do with detainees or what their legal status is now.
Both the Defense Department and the U.S. Southern Command, which oversees all operations in Central and South America, referred The Hill to the White House for comment. The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The first five boat strikes have killed 27 people, according to administration officials.
The latest strike came amid a flurry of activity related to U.S. operations in the region.
The Pentagon on Thursday announced that 4-star Navy Adm. Alvin Holsey, who is the commander of Southcom, will be retiring from the Navy on Dec. 12, less than a year into the position.
Trump appeared to confirm on Wednesday that he allowed the CIA to conduct operations in Venezuela, increasing pressure against Venezuela’s authoritarian leader Nicolás Maduro, who the administration sees as an “illegitimate” leader.
The administration has beefed up its military presence in the Caribbean, with around 10,000 U.S. forces now supporting counternarcotics operations.
Updated: 1:21 p.m.
