WASHINGTON – The U.S. military has struck another alleged drug boat in the Caribbean Sea, resulting in the deaths of three individuals, former President Donald Trump announced Friday. This marks the second such incident authorized under his governance, raising continued legal and political questions about the use of military force against suspected drug traffickers.
The latest strike follows a similar incident earlier this month, where the U.S. military targeted another vessel believed to be carrying narcotics. Details surrounding the second incident remain limited, but Trump defended the action as consistent with his responsibility to protect American interests and national security. The White house previously notified Congress that the initial strike fell under Mr. Trump’s legal authority as commander in chief.
Venezuela has accused the U.S. of violating its sovereignty, alleging the seizure of a fishing vessel within its exclusive economic zone last weekend and the detention of nine fishermen.
Several Democratic lawmakers have criticized the strikes, arguing the Trump administration has not provided a sufficient legal justification for deploying the military in this capacity. Senator Jack Reed of Rhode Island, the top Democrat on the Senate Armed Services Committee, called the actions “an outrageous violation of the law and a dangerous assault on our Constitution,” adding, ”No president can secretly wage war or carry out unjustified killings – that is authoritarianism, not democracy.”
According to CBS News reporting, the first vessel struck earlier this month appeared to be turning around at the time of the incident. The White House defended the initial strike,asserting it was conducted to further U.S.national security and foreign policy interests.
