Rubio says US will work with allies but may strike
By The BriefBrief
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the Trump administration is focusing on working with allied countries to counter drug trafficking in Latin American waters and aligning with their laws. He added that the U.S. military would “still blow up ships if need be,” while the Southern Command announced another Caribbean Sea boat strike that killed three people.
WHO:Secretary of State Marco Rubio; U.S. Southern Command
WHAT:Rubio outlined a U.S. approach to counter drug trafficking with allied coordination while maintaining a readiness to destroy ships if needed; Southern Command reported a new boat strike in the Caribbean Sea.
WHEN:Sep 9, 2026
WHERE:Caribbean Sea; Quito, Ecuador
WHY:Rubio was responding to questions about the U.S. approach to countering drug trafficking in Latin American waters, and Southern Command carried out and reported a new boat strike.
