The White House’s legal rationale for airstrikes on boats in Latin American waters has only been shared with select Republicans. Representative Sara Jacobs has stated the strikes are “completely illegal” due to extrajudicial killings and a lack of evidence. The U.S. has conducted over a dozen airstrikes, killing at least 61 people under the pretense of targeting drug smuggling operations and “designated terrorist organizations”, primarily focused on cocaine, which officials claim facilitates fentanyl.
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A new investigation by Verstka reveals a disturbing pattern of internal violence within the Russian army, with evidence of commanders executing or deliberately sending soldiers to their deaths. The outlet documented 101 servicemen accused of murdering, torturing, or fatally punishing their own comrades, with at least 150 confirmed deaths and the true number believed to be higher. Methods used to enforce obedience include “execution shooters,” drone strikes on retreating soldiers, torture, and forced gladiator-style battles. Despite nearly 29,000 complaints received by the military prosecutor’s office, few, if any, perpetrators have been held accountable due to an informal ban on investigating cases against commanders in combat zones, resulting in widespread impunity.
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According to the Associated Press, U.S. lawmakers have repeatedly failed to close loopholes allowing China to access advanced American AI chips, particularly through cloud services. Despite bipartisan efforts and four attempts since September last year, proposals to restrict these sales have been thwarted, often due to significant lobbying efforts from the tech industry. This ongoing issue highlights the complex relationship between the U.S. and China, where national security concerns and human rights abuses are weighed against billions of dollars in tech sales. The government has also previously helped American firms sell technology to Chinese agencies.
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The US State Department has eliminated its online portal, the Human Rights Reporting Gateway (HRG), which served as a channel for reporting human rights violations by foreign military units equipped with American weapons. This portal was established in 2022 to comply with the Leahy Law, which mandates the government to gather information on alleged human rights abuses. Critics, including a former congressional aide involved in drafting the law, have condemned the removal, arguing it undermines the ability to monitor and address such violations. While the State Department maintains it is still adhering to its legal obligations, the closure comes amidst a broader restructuring and a perceived shift in focus on human rights within the department.
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Since the start of the “Midway Blitz” in Chicago, over 3,000 alleged undocumented immigrants have been detained. Human rights organizations and attorneys are struggling to locate the detainees, as authorities have been unable to provide information on their whereabouts. Concerns are growing that some detainees are being pressured to accept voluntary departure, which results in deportation. Despite a court order requiring authorities to report on their handling of arrests, the government has not yet fully complied.
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US forces have killed 14 individuals in recent strikes targeting four alleged drug boats in the Pacific Ocean, marking a further escalation in the campaign against drug traffickers. The attacks, authorized by President Donald Trump, resulted in one survivor who was rescued by Mexican authorities. These strikes are part of a broader operation that has killed at least 51 people, primarily in the Caribbean and off the coast of South America, and raised concerns regarding their legality and the president’s authority to order them.
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Roberto Mosquera, a former Trump supporter, is currently imprisoned in Eswatini, Africa, after being falsely accused of murder by the Department of Homeland Security. Despite never being convicted of homicide, DHS officials wrongly labeled him as such, later deporting him to the African nation which is known for its human rights abuses. This action is part of a broader controversial initiative initiated by the Trump administration to expand the U.S. deportation program into Africa, despite warnings from human rights groups and lawyers. Mosquera, who served time for attempted murder in his youth, has been on a hunger strike since October 15 and has not received legal justification for his detention.
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According to a Friday court filing, the U.S. government intends to deport Kilmar Abrego Garcia to Liberia, potentially as soon as October 31. This follows a previous mistaken deportation to El Salvador, in violation of a settlement agreement. Abrego Garcia’s legal team argues this new deportation attempt is punitive and designed to inflict hardship, particularly since he has no connection to Liberia and has applied for asylum in the United States. Furthermore, the Salvadoran national is also facing criminal charges in Tennessee, adding another layer of complexity to his immigration case.
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President Trump has sanctioned Colombian President Gustavo Petro and suspended aid to Colombia in response to Petro’s accusation that the U.S. murdered a Colombian citizen during recent strikes on alleged drug boats. These strikes, part of a broader campaign against drug cartels, have resulted in at least 43 deaths and an increased military presence in the Caribbean. These actions are unusual, as Trump has previously only sanctioned leaders like Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong Un, and they represent an expansion of presidential power, with potential illegality.
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A letter sent to ICE officials and Senate committees detailed mistreatment and neglect experienced by over a dozen pregnant women in immigration custody. The women reported substandard medical care, including being shackled, placed in solitary confinement, and denied necessities like prenatal vitamins. Advocates are pressing for the release of all pregnant women in custody and an end to the detention of those known to be pregnant, postpartum, or nursing. These allegations, which include reports of miscarriages and psychological harm, contradict a previous statement from DHS denying mistreatment of pregnant detainees. The experiences described allegedly violate a Biden administration directive regarding the detention of pregnant individuals.
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John Q. Hosedrinker
ICE and Chicago: Could 3,000 Immigrant Detainees Have Disappeared?
Since the start of the “Midway Blitz” in Chicago, over 3,000 alleged undocumented immigrants have been detained. Human rights organizations and attorneys are struggling to locate the detainees, as authorities have been unable to provide information on their whereabouts. Concerns are growing that some detainees are being pressured to accept voluntary departure, which results in deportation. Despite a court order requiring authorities to report on their handling of arrests, the government has not yet fully complied.
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