Overview

• The Colombian navy captured the autonomous semi-submersible near Santa Marta on July 2 during multinational Operation Orion.
• Officials confirmed the vessel belonged to Clan del Golfo and was fitted with a Starlink satellite antenna.
• Capable of carrying up to 1.5 tonnes of cocaine, the craft was discovered empty and undergoing a test deployment.
• Cartel-funded research since 2017 has driven the shift from piloted to remote-controlled narco-submersibles.
• Naval commanders warn that stealth-equipped, unmanned subs pose an escalating challenge to maritime security operations.