Summary
Mexico and El Salvador's navies announced they seized over 10 tonnes of cocaine in the Pacific Ocean. Meanwhile, U.S. military strikes on suspected drug boats resulted in 11 deaths. The actions reflect ongoing international efforts against drug trafficking in Latin American waters.
Key Facts
- Mexico seized nearly four tonnes of suspected cocaine from a semisubmersible boat, 250 miles south of Manzanillo.
- The seizure involved intelligence shared by U.S. Northern Command and the U.S. Joint Interagency Task Force South.
- El Salvador intercepted a Tanzanian-registered boat carrying 6.6 tonnes of cocaine, marking the country's largest drug seizure.
- Ten men from Colombia, Nicaragua, Panama, and Ecuador were arrested in connection with El Salvador's seizure.
- President Trump has pressured Mexico to increase drug seizures, citing drug trafficking as a reason for tariffs on Mexican imports.
- Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has taken a stricter stance on drug cartels than her predecessor, including extraditing traffickers to the U.S.
- Claudia Sheinbaum has voiced opposition to U.S. military strikes against suspected drug boats, which have resulted in 145 deaths since last September.
- The recent U.S. strikes occurred in the eastern Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean and included three targeted boats.
