One year into his second term, President Nayib Bukele has reinforced El Salvador’s position as a regional leader in maritime drug interdiction. Through the Territorial Control Plan and a strengthened naval strategy, authorities have seized over 60 tons of drugs since 2019 — with 28.2 tons intercepted between May 2024 and May 2025 alone, valued at $706.8 million.

“From Panama to Mexico, El Salvador’s Navy is the only force carrying out drug seizures at such remote distances,” said Defense Minister René Merino Monroy. “The United States benefits most, as we help dismantle major trafficking networks.”

In December 2024, the Navy intercepted a vessel 1,050 nautical miles offshore carrying 1.5 tons of cocaine. In August, a similar operation seized 1.2 tons of cocaine and high-powered firearms being transferred between Ecuadorian and Mexican traffickers.

On January 12, 2025, Bukele announced a record-breaking operation: four drug-laden vessels stopped nearly 1,000 miles out at sea, yielding 4.3 tons of cocaine worth over $104 million.

“This small country is controlling over a thousand miles of ocean,” said Security Minister Gustavo Villatoro. “We’re proving the connection between narcotics and weapons, and showing what determined leadership can achieve.”