The United States is repatriating two alleged drug traffickers to Colombia and Ecuador following a military strike on their vessel in the Caribbean Sea. The Trump administration is facing scrutiny regarding the legality of these actions. The administration is defending its actions by claiming an “armed conflict” with Latin American drug cartels, who are allegedly tied to Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.
The United States military struck a suspected drug-carrying vessel in the Caribbean, marking the first time survivors were taken into custody during the Trump administration’s attacks in the region. President Trump confirmed the attack, which brought the death toll from the strikes to at least 28. Legal experts have questioned the legality of the strikes due to the use of military force and the authorization of covert action in Venezuela. The survivors are being held on a U.S. Navy vessel, and their future remains unclear, with questions arising about their legal status.
Head of the U.S. Military’s Southern Command Is Stepping Down, Officials Say. Well, this is certainly a headline that grabs your attention. It’s not every day you hear about a high-ranking military official, especially one in charge of such a crucial command, deciding to step down so abruptly, and less than a year into their tenure. The Southern Command, or SOUTHCOM, as it’s known, has a huge area of responsibility, encompassing Latin America and the Caribbean, so this is definitely a significant change.
Admiral Holsey’s departure is happening in the middle of a major operation, which, as you can imagine, raises a lot of questions.… Continue reading
Family of Trinidadian man believed killed in US strike demands proof of drug trafficking, and frankly, it’s a pretty reasonable request. When a life is taken, especially in what appears to be a military operation, the burden of proof shouldn’t be on the bereaved family to *disprove* accusations. It should be on those who authorized the strike to demonstrate the necessity and legality of their actions. Simply put, if the claim is that the man was involved in drug trafficking and that justified his death, then let’s see the evidence.
The argument that even if he *was* involved in illicit activities, blowing up a boat full of people is wrong, is pretty hard to argue with, even without the legal context.… Continue reading
Reports indicate that two Trinidadian men may be among the six individuals killed in a recent US airstrike on a boat suspected of drug trafficking off the coast of Venezuela. While former US President Donald Trump claimed the strike targeted “narcoterrorists,” Trinidadian officials are still working to confirm the identities of the deceased. Family members of the two alleged victims have denied their involvement in drug activity and criticized the use of deadly force. This event has raised concerns among some Caribbean leaders about the increasing US military presence and its impact on regional peace and security, prompting responses such as military exercises from the Venezuelan government.
President Donald Trump has confirmed he authorized the CIA to conduct covert operations within Venezuela, citing concerns over drug trafficking and the release of prisoners into the U.S. This acknowledgment follows recent U.S. military strikes in the Caribbean against alleged drug smuggling boats, some originating from Venezuela. The administration is also considering potential land operations and has declared drug cartels to be unlawful combatants. This has drawn criticism, with Venezuela condemning the actions and some U.S. lawmakers raising concerns about the administration’s escalation without Congressional authorization.
Reports indicate the U.S. military has conducted at least one strike in the Caribbean targeting Colombian nationals on a boat that originated in Colombia. This suggests the U.S. military’s anti-narcotics campaign is more extensive than previously disclosed, with the administration justifying lethal strikes against suspected drug traffickers. The legal basis for these actions has been questioned, raising concerns about oversight and accountability, as the Trump administration continues to address illegal drug flow in the region. Furthermore, the U.S. has also authorized the CIA to operate inside Venezuela to clamp down on illegal flows of migrants and drugs.
President Trump publicly acknowledged authorizing the CIA to take action in Venezuela, citing concerns about prisoners being released into the U.S. and drug trafficking. The president’s comments followed reports of the administration authorizing covert, lethal action in the country. Trump also stated that U.S. military strikes on suspected drug smuggling boats in the Caribbean, an option also being considered on land, had saved American lives, despite experts’ claims that fentanyl is not primarily transported by boat. The administration has offered different explanations for these actions, portraying them as a means to combat drug cartels, while also applying pressure on the Venezuelan regime.
In a recent Truth Social post, Donald Trump shared an aerial video of a vessel being struck by a missile, claiming it was involved in drug trafficking and associated with “narcoterrorist networks.” The post followed a leaked memo indicating the US was in a “non-international armed conflict” with drug cartels and the deployment of warships to the Caribbean. This action is framed as self-defense, though it raises questions of legality and is believed by some to be part of a broader political strategy targeting Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, who the US has offered a reward for information leading to his arrest. Venezuela’s government has reacted with anger, denying American accusations of drug involvement, while questioning the authenticity of Trump’s video.
Colombian President Gustavo Petro has claimed a recent US bombing in the Caribbean targeted a boat carrying Colombian citizens, an assertion the White House has dismissed as baseless. The US has conducted at least four strikes in the region since September, targeting vessels allegedly involved in drug trafficking and killing 21 people. The strikes, which the US categorizes as part of a “non-international armed conflict,” have sparked international condemnation and a rejected Senate measure that would have limited the former president’s use of military force. The Colombian president views the strikes as a new escalation of conflict in the Caribbean.
John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood