Three men have been killed in a US strike on an alleged drug-smuggling boat in the Caribbean, US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth has said. It is the latest in a series of attacks on vessels the Trump administration claims are being used to smuggle drugs into the US. Since operations began in September, experts have questioned the legality of these strikes under international law, provoking criticism from Latin American leaders whose citizens have been targeted.
Hegseth reported that the boat targeted was operated by a designated terrorist organisation traveling in international waters, but details about the alleged drug-trafficking activities remain sparse. Often, announcements of such strikes are accompanied by grainy footage without substantial evidence about those on board.
Colombian President Gustavo Petro has condemned the strikes as 'murder,' suggesting they are tools for the US to exert dominance over Latin America. Similarly, Venezuela's Nicolas Maduro accused the US of 'fabricating a war.' Tensions have escalated, leading to US sanctions against Petro and a reevaluation of Colombia's status in the war on drugs.
The US military buildup in the region, depicted as a drug-trafficking crackdown, has led to claims that the actions may influence political outcomes in Colombia and Venezuela. Some US lawmakers question whether these military actions require congressional approval, while UN officials assert that the strikes violate international human rights law, reporting that over 60 individuals have already lost their lives in these ongoing attacks. Given the complexity of the situation, the legitimacy of the actions taken by the Trump administration and the humanitarian implications continue to draw scrutiny.
Hegseth reported that the boat targeted was operated by a designated terrorist organisation traveling in international waters, but details about the alleged drug-trafficking activities remain sparse. Often, announcements of such strikes are accompanied by grainy footage without substantial evidence about those on board.
Colombian President Gustavo Petro has condemned the strikes as 'murder,' suggesting they are tools for the US to exert dominance over Latin America. Similarly, Venezuela's Nicolas Maduro accused the US of 'fabricating a war.' Tensions have escalated, leading to US sanctions against Petro and a reevaluation of Colombia's status in the war on drugs.
The US military buildup in the region, depicted as a drug-trafficking crackdown, has led to claims that the actions may influence political outcomes in Colombia and Venezuela. Some US lawmakers question whether these military actions require congressional approval, while UN officials assert that the strikes violate international human rights law, reporting that over 60 individuals have already lost their lives in these ongoing attacks. Given the complexity of the situation, the legitimacy of the actions taken by the Trump administration and the humanitarian implications continue to draw scrutiny.
