U.S. Launches Twentieth Attack on Alleged Drug Traffickers in Caribbean

The Trump administration confirmed its twentieth military strike against suspected drug traffickers in the Caribbean Sea on November 10, 2023. A Pentagon official reported that the recent attack resulted in the deaths of four individuals, raising the total death toll from these operations to 79. While NBC News has provided coverage, the accuracy of the reported strikes remains unverified independently.

In recent weeks, the U.S. has intensified its campaign against what it labels as narco-terrorists, specifically targeting boats associated with narcotics trafficking and members of the Tren de Aragua gang. On October 28, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth authorized the deployment of an aircraft carrier strike group to support these operations within the U.S. Southern Command’s area of responsibility. Since then, at least three attacks have occurred this month alone, resulting in the deaths of three, two, and six individuals, respectively.

Concerns regarding the legality of these operations have arisen among international allies. Sources have indicated that the United Kingdom is withholding certain intelligence from the U.S. due to apprehensions about the ramifications of these military actions. In a notable response, Colombian President Gustavo Petro criticized the strikes, labeling the U.S. actions as “undoubtedly an aggression against Latin America.”

President Donald Trump has defended the military actions, characterizing them as necessary measures in an “armed conflict” between the U.S. and terror organizations responsible for drug trafficking. In a confidential notice to Congress last month, the White House designated these cartels as non-state armed groups and categorized them as terrorist organizations. The document stated, “The President determined that the United States is in a non-international armed conflict with these designated terrorist organizations.”

The military strikes have also drawn scrutiny from lawmakers in Washington. Earlier this month, the Senate narrowly rejected a measure requiring congressional approval for ongoing military actions against vessels in the Caribbean. The proposal received support from two Republican senators, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Rand Paul of Kentucky, alongside all Senate Democrats.

Trump has previously asserted that he does not require a formal declaration of war from Congress to proceed with the strikes. During a recent press conference, he stated, “I don’t think we’re necessarily going to ask for a declaration of war. I think we’re just gonna kill people that are bringing drugs into our country.”

Additionally, the president acknowledged authorizing CIA operations in Venezuela, although specifics of these activities remain undisclosed. “I authorized for two reasons, really,” Trump explained. “No. 1, they have emptied their prisons into the United States of America. And the other thing are drugs. We have a lot of drugs coming in from Venezuela.”

As the U.S. continues its military campaign in the Caribbean, the implications of these actions on regional stability and international relations remain to be seen. The ongoing conflict with drug trafficking organizations poses complex challenges for both domestic and foreign policy.