Authorities in the Dominican Republic announced Saturday that they had intercepted a boat carrying nearly 500 kilograms of cocaine during a coordinated operation with the United States, part of a wider military buildup in the region.
The National Drug Control Directorate (DNCD) said the seizure took place off the Dominican coast in support of Operation Southern Spear, a U.S. Southern Command initiative. The DNCD noted that the mission was conducted in close collaboration with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.
According to the agency, units deployed by air, sea, and land intercepted the vessel as it approached Dominican waters. Two Dominican nationals were arrested, and 484 packets of cocaine—amounting to roughly 1,000 pounds—were recovered from the 27-foot boat, which was powered by twin outboard motors.
Operation Southern Spear was unveiled Thursday by U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth as part of a deployment of warships and aircraft to Latin America. Washington says the campaign targets drug-smuggling operations run by what it calls “narco-terrorist” cartels.
The initiative has drawn sharp criticism from Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, who accuses U.S. President Donald Trump of using counternarcotics efforts as cover for attempts to topple his government in Caracas.
Since September, U.S. forces have bombed 21 suspected drug-trafficking boats in the region, resulting in at least 80 deaths. The Trump administration alleges Maduro himself is at the helm of a drug cartel and has offered a $50 million reward for his capture.
On Friday, Trump said he had “sort of” decided on his next steps regarding Venezuela but declined to provide further details.
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