Did You Misplace 1.4 Tons of Cocaine? El Salvador Has It
An image from the seizure. (Nayib Bukele on X)
El Salvador’s navy intercepted a major drug shipment this week, seizing 1.4 tons of cocaine found floating in the Pacific Ocean, approximately 1,000 miles southwest of the country’s coast. President Nayib Bukele announced the operation on Tuesday, calling it a significant strike against international drug trafficking networks, according to CBS News.
The cocaine, with an estimated street value of $35 million, was discovered near El Cordoncillo and prominently featured on Bukele’s social media. The seizure underscores Central America’s role as a critical transit route for cocaine heading to the United States. U.S. estimates suggest that 90% of the cocaine consumed in the U.S. passes through Mexico and Central America—often by air, sea, or narco-submarines, AFP reports.
Between 2024 and 2025, Salvadoran authorities have confiscated over 37 tons of cocaine—worth nearly $1 billion, Bukele stated. The U.S. Embassy in El Salvador praised the latest interception, citing it as evidence of growing collaboration in the fight against organized crime.
The broader region is also seeing increased counter-narcotics efforts. Former President Donald Trump has designated drug cartels as foreign terrorist organizations and authorized the deployment of military assets to the Caribbean and waters near Venezuela. The Pentagon has warships stationed in the region and plans to deploy a new squadron of F-35 fighter jets to reinforce operations. Defense officials emphasize a clear message: drug trafficking in the region will face a swift and forceful response.
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