During a cabinet meeting, President Trump announced the imminent commencement of land-based missile strikes against drug smugglers, escalating the ongoing conflict. This decision follows alleged war crimes committed during strikes on drug boats off the coast of Venezuela. Trump also stated that any country producing drugs that reach America is subject to these attacks. The administration’s actions and rhetoric are drawing criticism and prompting investigations, while also garnering support from certain figures.
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AP News has learned the identity of some men killed in U.S. military strikes on alleged drug-smuggling boats, thanks to reporting done by Regina Garcia Cano. Through interviews with residents and relatives in Venezuelan villages, it was discovered that the deceased were not narco-terrorists as claimed, but rather men involved in drug running for the first or second time. The reporting was met with significant challenges, as sources were fearful of speaking out due to potential repercussions from the Venezuelan government, including searches and detentions. Despite the challenges, the reporting found widespread poverty and a lack of information that is hindering the ability of families to mourn their lost loved ones.
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US military kills three in strike on drug-trafficking vessel in Caribbean, Hegseth says, and the immediate reaction is, well, skepticism. It’s hard to avoid the gut feeling that something isn’t right when we’re presented with a story like this. The core of the issue, at least from what I gather, seems to be a lack of concrete proof. We’re told that a vessel was targeted and three people were killed, allegedly involved in drug trafficking, but where’s the evidence? The questions flood in immediately: What constitutes a “drug-trafficking vessel”? How was this determined? Was there any due process, any attempt at arrest, or was it a shoot-first-ask-questions-later scenario?… Continue reading
In late August, a coordinated series of raids across New England by federal authorities resulted in the seizure of over 500 pounds of drugs and the arrest of nearly 200 individuals. The DEA presented the operation as a major crackdown on the Sinaloa Cartel, claiming the arrests targeted high-level members. However, a Spotlight Team investigation revealed that many of those arrested were low-level offenders, including addicts and petty criminals, not high-ranking cartel members. This misrepresentation, according to the investigation, aimed to justify the administration’s actions within the war on drugs and the escalating war against Latin American drug cartels.
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President Trump is considering targeting cocaine facilities and trafficking routes inside Venezuela, though he has not yet made a decision. In anticipation of a potential military escalation, the Defense Secretary ordered a carrier strike group to the Caribbean, and the CIA has been authorized to conduct covert operations. While diplomatic options remain on the table, the administration has also been aggressively trying to link Venezuelan President Maduro to the drug trade, even though Venezuela is not a major cocaine producer, according to the UNODC and the DEA. The President has stated that he plans to eliminate those who bring drugs into the country. The US military has significantly increased its presence in the Caribbean, including the deployment of numerous naval assets, fighter jets, and drones.
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The International Criminal Court (ICC) prosecutors have charged former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte with three counts of crimes against humanity for his role in the “war on drugs.” The charge sheet details accusations that Duterte designed and implemented a policy to “neutralize” alleged criminals, allegedly including the induction of hitmen, the provision of weapons, and incentives for killings. The charges specifically cite 76 murders between 2011 and 2019, although the prosecution asserts the actual number of victims was significantly higher. Duterte, who has been in ICC detention since March, is accused of directing killings during his time as mayor of Davao City and later as president, with court documents detailing his alleged involvement and actions, including his public statements that incited violence.
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The US has designated Colombia as a country that has “demonstrably failed” to meet its obligations to control drug trafficking, citing record cocaine production under President Gustavo Petro’s administration. Colombia’s government responded by announcing it would stop purchasing weapons from the US. The US attributed the surge to Petro’s policies, specifically peace talks with armed groups involved in drug trafficking, despite Petro’s claims that the increases occurred during the previous administration. While the US has not cut off aid, it has put pressure on the Colombian government to take more action, opening the possibility for recertification if aggressive steps are taken.
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The U.S. military’s recent attack on a vessel in the Caribbean, resulting in the deaths of 11 people, is reminiscent of historical events used to justify interventionism in Latin America. The Trump administration claimed the operation targeted narco-trafficking, but provided ambiguous evidence, echoing the 1898 explosion of the USS Maine that led to the Spanish-American War. This action is viewed as a strategic move to project American strength, particularly in relation to Venezuela, and is supported by figures like Marco Rubio, who is seen as pushing the narrative. Critics argue this continues a pattern of using the “war on drugs” as a pretext for intervention, potentially destabilizing the region and targeting Latino communities in the U.S.
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US military deploying forces to southern Caribbean against drug groups is the current order of business, and it’s hard not to raise an eyebrow. The official word is a deployment of air and naval forces to address threats from Latin American drug cartels. The question that immediately springs to mind is, why now? What’s the specific threat that warrants such a move?
This kind of action often brings a feeling of déjà vu, especially given the history of the “war on drugs.” It’s a conflict we’ve been fighting for decades, with debatable success. Could this be just another iteration of the same old strategies, or is there something more at play?… Continue reading
Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte was arrested in Manila on an International Criminal Court (ICC) warrant for crimes against humanity related to his deadly anti-drug campaign. His daughter reported that he was forcibly taken onto a plane to The Hague, Netherlands, where the ICC is located. The warrant, confirmed by the ICC, charges Duterte with murder as a crime against humanity for actions allegedly committed between 2011 and 2019. Duterte’s arrest, following the Philippines’ withdrawal from the ICC, sparked both outrage from supporters and celebrations from victims’ families.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood