UPDATE: Ongoing bipartisan investigations into U.S. military strikes against alleged drug trafficking vessels in the Caribbean and Pacific are raising urgent legal questions. The scrutiny intensified following a controversial strike on September 2, 2023, near Venezuela, where a follow-up attack reportedly killed survivors.
As the military operations continue unabated, U.S. Southern Command confirmed that four individuals were killed under the direction of Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, bringing the total death toll to 87 across 22 strikes since these operations began earlier this month. Officials argue these suspected drug traffickers are combatants threatening American lives due to their involvement in drug trafficking.
However, legal experts are sounding alarms. Maryam Jamshidi, a law professor at CU Boulder, emphasized that the Trump administration’s designation of drug cartels as Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTO) does not authorize lethal military action against them. “It doesn’t give the U.S. government authority to kill anyone,” Jamshidi stated, highlighting the distinction between combatants and civilians. The attacks are being framed as acts of self-defense, yet critics argue they lack solid legal grounding.
The congressional hearings have yet to halt military operations, raising concerns about the White House’s expansive claims of authority. Jamshidi urges that this situation should alarm everyone, stating, “The broader issue here is that the White House is claiming very broad authority to engage in a series of unprecedented military actions against civilian boats in international waters.”
As investigations unfold, the implications of these strikes could reshape U.S. military policy. Lawmakers are closely monitoring these developments, and the results of the ongoing inquiries may lead to significant changes in how military operations are conducted in international waters.
For those following this evolving story, expect further updates as Congress continues to press for transparency and accountability regarding these controversial military actions.
