Mexico and El Salvador announced major drug seizures totaling over 10 tonnes of cocaine in the Pacific Ocean, contrasting sharply with deadly U.S. military strikes that killed 11 people on suspected drug vessels this week. The coordinated seizures highlight divergent approaches to combating drug trafficking in the region.

Mexico seized nearly four tonnes of suspected drugs from a semisubmersible craft 250 nautical miles south of Manzanillo, bringing the weekly total to nearly 10 tonnes. Meanwhile, El Salvador made its largest drug seizure in history, intercepting 6.6 tonnes of cocaine from a Tanzanian-registered boat, arresting ten men from four countries including Colombia, Nicaragua, Panama and Ecuador.

The Trump administration has pressured Mexico for increased seizures, citing drug trafficking as justification for tariffs on Mexican imports. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has responded with a more aggressive cartel stance while publicly disagreeing with lethal U.S. strikes that have killed at least 145 people since last September.