AdvertisementSKIP ADVERTISEMENTTwo men rescued by the U.S. military after it attacked a boat in the Caribbean Sea were being sent to their home countries of Colombia and Ecuador, President Trump said.A Navy guided missile destroyer docked near the entrance to the Panama Canal in Panama City last month. The United States has deployed warships, surveillance planes and an attack submarine to the region.Credit...Enea Lebrun/ReutersOct. 18, 2025The Trump administration is repatriating two survivors of a deadly U.S. strike this week on suspected drug runners in the Caribbean Sea rather than prosecute them or hold them in military detention, President Trump announced on Saturday.The men who survived were being returned to their home countries, Colombia and Ecuador, “for detention and prosecution,” the president said in a posting on his Truth Social account.Mr. Trump also posted a 29-second video showing a semi-submersible vessel that was traveling partially below the water being blown up. He said two other suspected drug smugglers, whom he called “terrorists,” had been killed in the attack.Subscribe to The Times to read as many articles as you like.Eric Schmitt is a national security correspondent for The Times. He has reported on U.S. military affairs and counterterrorism for more than three decades.Charlie Savage writes about national security and legal policy for The Times.Carol Rosenberg reports on the wartime prison and court at Guantánamo Bay. She has been covering the topic since the first detainees were brought to the U.S. base in 2002.A version of this article appears in print on Oct. 19, 2025, Section A, Page 6 of the New York edition with the headline: 2 Survivors of U.S. Attack Are to Be Returned Home. Order Reprints | Today’s Paper | SubscribeRelated ContentAdvertisementSKIP ADVERTISEMENT

On October 17th, at the direction of President Trump, the Department of War conducted a lethal kinetic strike on a vessel affiliated with Ejército de Liberación Nacional (ELN), a Designated Terrorist Organization, that was operating in the USSOUTHCOM area of responsibility. The vessel was known by our intelligence to be involved in illicit narcotics smuggling, was traveling along a known narco-trafficking route, and was transporting substantial amounts of narcotics. There were three male narco-terrorists aboard the vessel during the strike—which was conducted in international waters. All three terrorists were killed and no U.S. forces were harmed in this strike. These cartels are the Al Qaeda of the Western Hemisphere, using violence, murder and terrorism to impose their will, threaten our national security and poison our people. The United States military will treat these organizations like the terrorists they are—they will be hunted, and killed, just like Al Qaeda.

Attack in the Caribbean: US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth reported that, under the direction of President Donald Trump, on October 17, US forces carried out a kinetic attack against a vessel affiliated with the ELN (National Liberation Army) in international waters. Three suspected drug traffickers were killed; there were no US casualties. “The US military will treat these organizations as the terrorists they are: they will be hunted down and annihilated, just like Al Qaeda,” Hegseth wrote on his Twitter account. #VPItv

Ataque en el Caribe: el secretario de Guerra de Estados Unidos, Pete Hegseth, informó que bajo la dirección del presidente Donald Trump, el 17 de octubre las fuerzas estadounidenses ejecutaron un ataque cinético contra un buque afiliado al ELN, en aguas internacionales. Tres presuntos narcoterroristas murieron; no hubo bajas estadounidenses. “El ejército estadounidense tratará a estas organizaciones como los terroristas que son: serán perseguidos y aniquilados, igual que Al Qaeda”, escribió Hegseth en su cuenta de X. #VPItv

The U.S. government announced Sunday that three suspected drug traffickers linked to the Colombian guerrilla group National Liberation Army (ELN) were killed on October 17 in an attack on a vessel in the Caribbean Sea. #TVV

El Gobierno de Estados Unidos anunció este domingo que tres presuntos narcotraficantes vinculados a la guerrilla colombiana del Ejército de Liberación Nacional (ELN) murieron el 17 de octubre en un ataque contra una embarcación en aguas del mar Caribe. #TVV

OPERATION AGAINST VESSEL LINKED TO THE ELN — Summary of actions in international waters Official sources from the U.S. Department of Defense confirmed that on October 17, a kinetic attack was carried out against a vessel linked to the National Liberation Army (ELN) in an area under the responsibility of USSOUTHCOM. The official statement indicates that the vessel was sailing along a route associated with drug trafficking and was carrying significant quantities of drugs; three people on board died, and no casualties were reported among U.S. forces. "The U.S. military will treat these organizations as the terrorists they are," the statement says, referring to groups that employ violence and terrorism. We interviewed specialists in international law and hemispheric security; several experts consulted agreed that the case requires clarity regarding evidence and cooperation with coastal states. Our news outlet spoke with residents of nearby ports, who demanded greater protection of trade routes and control of maritime drug trafficking. The intervention underscores the tension between counternarcotics efforts and the rules governing the use of force on the high seas. Do you consider the military response to have been proportionate and duly justified?

OPERACIÓN CONTRA EMBARCACIÓN VINCULADA AL ELN — Resumen de las acciones en aguas internacionales Fuentes oficiales del Departamento de Guerra de Estados Unidos confirmaron que el 17 de octubre se efectuó un ataque cinético contra un buque vinculado al Ejército de Liberación Nacional (ELN) en una zona bajo responsabilidad del USSOUTHCOM. El texto oficial indica que la embarcación navegaba por una ruta asociada al narcotráfico y llevaba cantidades significativas de drogas; tres personas a bordo murieron y no se reportaron bajas entre fuerzas estadounidenses. "El ejército estadounidense tratará a estas organizaciones como los terroristas que son", dice el comunicado, en referencia a grupos que emplean violencia y terrorismo. Entrevistamos a especialistas en derecho internacional y seguridad hemisférica; varios expertos consultados coincidieron en que el caso exige claridad sobre pruebas y cooperación con países ribereños. Nuestro medio conversó con habitantes de puertos cercanos, que demandaron mayor protección de rutas comerciales y control del narcotráfico marítimo. La intervención subraya la tensión entre acción antinarcóticos y normas de uso de la fuerza en alta mar. ¿Considera usted que la respuesta militar fue proporcionada y debidamente justificada?

Screenshot of a video posted on the official social media account @SecWar of the US Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth, showing an attack on a vessel in the waters of the Atlantic Ocean. EFE/ @SecWar /EDITORIAL USE ONLY NO SALES /ONLY AVAILABLE TO ILLUSTRATE THE ACCOMPANYING NEWS STORY (CREDIT REQUIRED) Photo: EFE - @SecWarSummarize and inform me quicklyListen to this articleAudio generated with Google AIThe United States government announced this Sunday that it killed three alleged drug traffickers whom it linked to the Colombian guerrilla group National Liberation Army (ELN) in a new attack against a vessel in the Caribbean Sea, the seventh since it declared an “armed conflict” against drug traffickers.“On October 17, at the direction of President Trump, the Department of War conducted a lethal kinetic strike against a vessel affiliated with the National Liberation Army (ELN), a designated terrorist organization, operating in the Southern Command area of responsibility,” reported the US Secretary of War, Pete Hegseth.To read: Trump accuses Petro accused of being a “drug trafficking leader who promotes drug production.” “Trump is deluded”: this is how the relationship between Petro and the U.S. heated up last week. “Disrespect”: this is how the country reacts to Trump’s accusation of “drug trafficking” against Petro. The vessel was sailing “along a known drug trafficking route and was transporting substantial quantities of narcotics,” Hegseth added. He also clarified that no U.S. soldiers were injured in the attack, which took place in international waters. The U.S. official shared a video showing the moment the vessel was bombed and compared the cartels to Al Qaeda. “These cartels are the Al Qaeda of the Western Hemisphere, using violence, murder, and terrorism to impose their will, threaten our national security, and poison our people. The U.S. military will treat these organizations as the terrorists they are: they will be hunted down and annihilated, just like Al Qaeda,” he declared. This refers to the latest attack by US forces against a suspected drug-trafficking vessel in the last month, since the United States declared an “armed conflict” against drug trafficking. Since then, Washington has deployed numerous forces in the Caribbean Sea under the pretext of combating drug trafficking near the Venezuelan coast, causing increasing tension between the US and the government of Nicolás Maduro, who sees the operation as a prelude to a possible attack against the country. This has also heightened tensions with Colombia, which Trump accuses of not doing enough to end drug trafficking. In this regard, Trump announced on Sunday the end of financial aid to Bogotá and described Colombian President Gustavo Prieto as “a drug kingpin.” 👀🌎📄 Have you heard the latest news from around the world? We invite you to see them in El Espectador. El Espectador, committed to offering the best experience to its readers, has forged a strategic alliance with The New York Times with a 30% discount. This plan offers a complete news experience, combining the best Colombian journalism with the international coverage of The New York Times. Don't miss the opportunity to access all these benefits and more. Subscribe here to El Espectador's super-premium plan today and experience journalism from a global perspective! 📧 📬 🌍 If you are interested in receiving a weekly summary of news and analysis from El Espectador's International section, you can access our newsletter portfolio, search for "It's Not the End of the World," and subscribe to our newsletter. If you wish to contact the team, you can do so by writing to mmedina@elespectador.com. By EFE. Recommended topics:

Captura de pantalla de un video publicado en la cuenta oficial de la red social X @SecWar del secretario del Departamento de Defensa estadounidense, Pete Hegseth, que muestra un ataque contra una embarcación en aguas del océano Atlántico. EFE/ @SecWar /SOLO USO EDITORIAL NO VENTAS /SOLO DISPONIBLE PARA ILUSTRAR LA NOTICIA QUE ACOMPAÑA (CRÉDITO OBLIGATORIO) Foto: EFE - @SecWarResume e infórmame rápidoEscucha este artículoAudio generado con IA de GoogleEl Gobierno de Estados Unidos anunció este domingo que mató a tres supuestos narcotraficantes a los que vinculó con la guerrilla colombiana del Ejército de Liberación Nacional (ELN) en un nuevo ataque contra una embarcación en aguas del mar Caribe, el séptimo desde que declaró un “conflicto armado” contra los traficantes de drogas.“El 17 de octubre, bajo la dirección del presidente Trump, el Departamento de Guerra llevó a cabo un ataque cinético letal contra un buque afiliado al Ejército de Liberación Nacional (ELN), una organización terrorista designada, que operaba en el área de responsabilidad del Comando Sur”, informó el Secretario del Departamento de Guerra estadounidense, Pete Hegseth.Para leer: Trump acusa a Petro de ser un “líder del narcotráfico que fomenta la producción de droga”“Trump está engañado”: así se calentó la relación entre Petro y EE.UU. la última semana“Irrespeto”: así reacciona el país por acusación de Trump a Petro de “narcotráfico”La embarcación navegaba “por una ruta conocida de narcotráfico y transportaba cantidades sustanciales de narcóticos”, añadió Hegseth.Además, aclaró que ningún soldado estadounidense resultó herido en el ataque, que se realizó en aguas internacionales.El funcionario estadounidense compartió un video en el que se observaba el momento en el que la embarcación fue bombardeada, y comparo a los carteles con Al Qaeda.“Estos carteles son la Al Qaeda del hemisferio occidental, que usa la violencia, el asesinato y el terrorismo para imponer su voluntad, amenazar nuestra seguridad nacional y envenenar a nuestro pueblo. El ejército estadounidense tratará a estas organizaciones como los terroristas que son: serán perseguidos y aniquilados, igual que Al Qaeda”, sentenció.Se trata del último ataque efectuado por las fuerzas estadounidenses contra una supuesta embarcación narcotraficante en el último mes, cuando Estados Unidos declaró un “conflicto armado” contra el narcotráfico.Desde entonces, Washington ha desplegado numerosas fuerzas en el mar Caribe bajo la justificación de combatir el narcotráfico cerca de las costas de Venezuela, lo que ha causado una tensión creciente entre EE.UU. y el Gobierno de Nicolás Maduro, que ve la operación como el preludio de un posible ataque contra el país. Esto también ha elevado la tensión con Colombia, a quien Trump acusa de no hacer lo suficiente para acabar con el narcotráfico.En este sentido, Trump anunció este domingo el fin de la ayuda financiera a Bogotá y describió al presidente colombiano, Gustavo Prieto, como “un líder del narcotráfico”.👀🌎📄 ¿Ya se enteró de las últimas noticias en el mundo? Invitamos a verlas en El Espectador.El Espectador, comprometido con ofrecer la mejor experiencia a sus lectores, ha forjado una alianza estratégica con The New York Times con el 30 % de descuento.Este plan ofrece una experiencia informativa completa, combinando el mejor periodismo colombiano con la cobertura internacional de The New York Times. No pierda la oportunidad de acceder a todos estos beneficios y más. ¡Suscríbase aquí al plan superprémium de El Espectador hoy y viva el periodismo desde una perspectiva global!📧 📬 🌍 Si le interesa recibir un resumen semanal de las noticias y análisis de la sección Internacional de El Espectador, puede ingresar a nuestro portafolio de newsletters, buscar “No es el fin del mundo” e inscribirse a nuestro boletín. Si desea contactar al equipo, puede hacerlo escribiendo a mmedina@elespectador.comPor EFETemas recomendados:

The U.S. Department of Defense reported that on October 17, following instructions from President Donald Trump, a “lethal kinetic attack” was carried out against a vessel allegedly affiliated with the National Liberation Army (ELN), a situation that has not yet been officially confirmed. According to the department, the incident occurred in international waters, within the area of responsibility of U.S. Southern Command (USSOUTHCOM). Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth stated that the action is part of a direct offensive against transnational drug trafficking networks. According to his statement, the operation was executed as part of the U.S. government's efforts to neutralize what he described as “terrorist threats” linked to drug trafficking. Screenshot of the statement by Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth. Photo: X: @SecWar President Gustavo Petro commented on the announcement of the US attack and stated, "The fisherman's boat from Santa Marta did not belong to the ELN; it belonged to a humble family, lovers of the sea." He then questioned Secretary Hegseth: "What do you say to that family? Explain to me why you helped murder a humble fisherman from Santa Marta, the land where Bolívar died, and which they say is the heart of the world." The fisherman's boat from Santa Marta did not belong to the ELN; it belonged to a humble family, lovers of the sea, and from which they obtained their food. What do you say to that family? Explain to me why you helped murder a humble fisherman from Santa Marta, the land where Bolívar died, and which they say is the heart of the world… https://t.co/Dd9D1aEqGK— Gustavo Petro (@petrogustavo) October 19, 2025 Prior intelligence monitoring, according to Hegseth stated that the vessel had been identified and monitored by U.S. intelligence agencies, which, according to him, determined its involvement in illicit narcotics smuggling activities. “The vessel was involved in illicit narcotics smuggling, was sailing along a known drug trafficking route, and was transporting substantial quantities of narcotics,” the Secretary stated via X. According to information presented by the Department of War, prior surveillance confirmed the navigation route and authorized the execution of the attack, within the operational limits assigned to Southern Command. On October 17th, at the direction of President Trump, the Department of War conducted a lethal kinetic strike on a vessel affiliated with Ejército de Liberación Nacional (ELN), a Designated Terrorist Organization, that was operating in the USSOUTHCOM area of responsibility. The… pic.twitter.com/1v7oR879LC— Secretary of War Pete Hegseth (@SecWar) October 19, 2025 Result of the attack reported by authorities: According to the official statement, three men were aboard the vessel during the operation. Hegseth described them as “narco-terrorists” and maintained that they died during the attack. The War Department indicated that no U.S. forces were injured. The report did not include information on the identities of the deceased, the type of weaponry used, or the final destination of the attacked vessel. JOS GUERRERO, DIGITAL REACH EDITORIAL STAFF. More news

El Departamento de Guerra de Estados Unidos informó que el 17 de octubre, siguiendo instrucciones del presidente Donald Trump, se realizó un “ataque cinético letal” contra una embarcación presuntamente afiliada al Ejército de Liberación Nacional (Eln), situación que aún no se ha confirmado oficialmente.Según esa institución, el hecho ocurrió en aguas internacionales, dentro del área de responsabilidad del Comando Sur (USSOUTHCOM). LEA TAMBIÉN El secretario de Guerra, Pete Hegseth, aseguró que la acción hace parte de una ofensiva directa contra redes de narcotráfico transnacional.  De acuerdo con su declaración, la operación fue ejecutada como parte de los esfuerzos del Gobierno estadounidense por neutralizar lo que calificó como “amenazas terroristas” vinculadas al tráfico de drogas.Captura de pantalla del comunicado del secretario de Guerra, Pete Hegseth. Foto:X: @SecWarEl presidente Gustavo Petro se pronunció sobre el anuncio del ataque de Estados Unidos y aseguró "la lancha del pescador de Santa Marta no era del Eln, era de una familia humilde, amante del mar".Y le cuestionó al secretario Hegseth: "¿Qué le dice usted a esa familia?, explíqueme porque usted ayudó a asesinar un humilde pescador de Santa Marta, la tierra donde murió Bolívar, y de la que dicen, es el corazón del mundo".La lancha del pescador de Santa Marta no era del ELN, era de una familia humilde, amante del mar y de ahí extraía sus alimentos.Qué le dice usted a esa familia, explíqueme porque usted ayudó a asesinar un humilde pescador de Santa Marta, la tierra donde murió Bolívar, y de la… https://t.co/Dd9D1aEqGK— Gustavo Petro (@petrogustavo) October 19, 2025 Seguimiento previo de inteligencia, según HegsethHegseth afirmó que la embarcación había sido identificada y vigilada por agencias de inteligencia estadounidenses, las cuales, según él, determinaron su implicación en actividades de contrabando ilícito de narcóticos.“El buque estaba involucrado en el contrabando ilícito de narcóticos, navegaba por una ruta conocida de narcotráfico y transportaba cantidades sustanciales de narcóticos”, declaró el secretario por medio de X.De acuerdo con la información presentada por el Departamento de Guerra, el seguimiento previo permitió confirmar la ruta de navegación y autorizar la ejecución del ataque, dentro de los límites operacionales asignados al Comando Sur.On October 17th, at the direction of President Trump, the Department of War conducted a lethal kinetic strike on a vessel affiliated with Ejército de Liberación Nacional (ELN), a Designated Terrorist Organization, that was operating in the USSOUTHCOM area of responsibility.The… pic.twitter.com/1v7oR879LC— Secretary of War Pete Hegseth (@SecWar) October 19, 2025 Resultado del ataque reportado por las autoridadesSegún el comunicado oficial, durante la operación se encontraban tres hombres a bordo del buque. Hegseth los calificó como “narco-terroristas” y sostuvo que murieron durante el ataque. El Departamento de Guerra señaló que ninguna fuerza estadounidense resultó herida.El reporte no incluyó información sobre la identidad de las personas fallecidas, el tipo de armamento utilizado ni el destino final de la embarcación atacada.JOS GUERREROREDACCIÓN ALCANCE DIGITALMás noticias