A U.S. strike on a vessel off Venezuela’s coast killed six suspected drug traffickers, according to an announcement by President Donald Trump, marking a significant escalation in his administration’s military campaign against drug cartels and terror networks.
Key Details of the Strike
- The Claim: President Trump posted on Truth Social that the strike targeted a vessel belonging to a “designated terrorist organization” that was actively trafficking narcotics and associated with “illicit narcoterrorist networks.”
- Visual Evidence: Trump shared a nearly 30-second video that appeared to show a vessel in open water being hit by a projectile and erupting in an explosion.
- The Broader Campaign: This incident is the latest in a series of similar lethal operations, reflecting the administration’s unconventional and highly scrutinized use of military power against suspected narcotics traffickers.
Controversy and Legal Debate
The operation has intensified a fierce debate over the legal authority for these military actions:
- “Armed Conflict” Designation: The Pentagon recently informed Congress that President Trump asserts the U.S. is engaged in a “non-international armed conflict” with drug cartels. This designation is key to the administration’s justification for using wartime powers.
- Legal Challenges: Former military lawyers and legal experts have sharply criticized this justification, arguing that using lethal force at sea against suspected drug traffickers, instead of capturing them, does not meet the established standards of the law of war.
- Lack of Evidence: The Trump administration has continued to withhold details about those killed and the nature of the seized cargo from both the public and Congress, further fueling criticism.
Regional Tensions
The strike occurred amid an unprecedented U.S. military buildup in the southern Caribbean, including the deployment of eight warships, thousands of personnel, and F-35 fighter jets:
- Maduro’s Accusations: Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has strongly denied U.S. allegations of ties to narcotics trafficking and criminal networks, accusing Washington of using the drug war as a pretext to orchestrate regime change.
- Bounty: The U.S. has doubled its reward for information leading to Maduro’s arrest to USD 50 million.
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