El Salvador’s security cabinet presented the 2026 budget proposal before the Legislative Assembly this week, highlighting unprecedented drug seizures made so far in 2025. According to the ministers of Security and Defense, authorities confiscated 24.35 tons of narcotics between January 1 and October 16, with an estimated market value of $604.5 million.
Minister of Security Gustavo Villatoro told lawmakers that the country is experiencing historic results. “Just as we have historic results in the reduction of homicide rates and impunity, 2025 also becomes a successful year in the confiscation of drugs, with more than 24 tons seized, representing over $604 million in losses to criminal organizations,” he said.
Figures presented show that more than 24 tons of the seized substances were cocaine, valued at over $603 million. Small-scale seizures included 348 kilograms of marijuana, 1.89 kilograms of methamphetamine, 424 grams of crack, and 230 grams of hashish.
Villatoro emphasized the role of the Navy in these operations, stating that the country is committed to combating transnational crime. “We cannot do less than contribute to this community of nations and fight international narcotrafficking, even if it means sailing 500, 600, 1,000 or 1,150 nautical miles, because we are coherent and responsible,” he said.
Since the beginning of President Nayib Bukele’s administration, El Salvador has seized 73.8 tons of drugs valued at $1.736 billion. Defense Minister René Francis Merino Monroy noted the importance of coordination with the National Civil Police (PNC). “Each activity we carry out together with the Police follows a planning structure that comes from the president and reaches the last soldier. Last year we set the record for the largest seizures in a single year; now we have surpassed it by many tons,” he stated.
Between 2024 and 2025, 39 tons of cocaine have been seized exclusively in offshore operations, valued at more than $977 million.
One of the most recent cases took place on October 2, when the president announced a record-breaking maritime interception far from Salvadoran shores. “Our Navy intercepted, at 1,150 nautical miles from our coasts, a vessel carrying 1,795 kilos of cocaine valued at more than $44.8 million,” President Bukele reported. Two days later, authorities arrested three street-level drug distributors in San Salvador, confiscating narcotics, a scale, and $1,211.75 in cash.