El Salvador has dealt a major blow to international drug trafficking after authorities intercepted 1.4 tons of cocainefloating in the Pacific Ocean, President Nayib Bukele announced.

The massive haul, valued at $35 million, was discovered about 1,600 kilometers southwest of El Cordoncillo on El Salvador’s Pacific coast. The bust is part of the country’s ongoing crackdown on cartels that use Central America as a gateway for smuggling cocaine to the United States.

The seizure comes as international pressure mounts, with the U.S. intensifying its war on drug cartels. Washington estimates that 90% of cocaine bound for the U.S. passes through Mexico and Central America, often via boats, planes, or even mini-submarines.

Between 2024 and 2025 alone, El Salvador has confiscated more than 37 tons of cocaine worth nearly $1 billion, underscoring its growing role in regional anti-narcotics efforts.

The U.S. Embassy praised the latest operation, saying it reflects a stronger partnership against transnational criminal networks.