U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth defended Washington’s decision to repatriate two survivors from a recent military operation targeting a suspected drug-smuggling submarine in the Caribbean Sea. Hegseth compared the action to practices during the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, emphasizing it as a consistent policy rather than a unique case.
“In those conflicts, we captured thousands on the battlefield and handed over 99% to host nation authorities,” Hegseth stated on Thursday. “Did we always like the outcome? Not always. But it was the standard, and it’s the same here.” His remarks come amid growing international scrutiny over the U.S. strike and its aftermath.
According to military reports, the semi-submersible vessel—believed to be carrying fentanyl and other narcotics—was intercepted by U.S. forces in the Caribbean last Thursday. The targeted strike destroyed the vessel, killing two individuals onboard. Two others survived the attack and were rescued by American forces, receiving immediate medical treatment before being transferred to authorities in Colombia and Ecuador.
The U.S. Department of Defense described the mission as part of an ongoing effort to curb international drug trafficking and the transport of synthetic opioids like fentanyl, which continue to fuel overdose crises in North America. Officials maintain that repatriation aligns with international law and established military procedure for handling non-combatant detainees during overseas operations.
Analysts note that the operation highlights a renewed U.S. focus on maritime drug interdiction in the Caribbean and Pacific corridors—routes often used by organized crime groups to smuggle narcotics into Central and North America. While the move has drawn mixed reactions, defense officials argue it underscores America’s commitment to shared regional security and cooperation with partner nations.