On Thursday, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced a recent U.S. strike on a vessel believed to be involved in narcotics trafficking in the Caribbean Sea. The operation resulted in the deaths of three individuals aboard the boat, increasing the death toll associated with the Trump administration's campaign against drug trafficking in South American waters to at least 69, following a total of 17 strikes.
In a post on social media, Hegseth shared a 20-second video capturing the moment of the strike. He emphasized that strikes against what he termed "narco-terrorists" would persist until their activities, which he claims poison the American populace, are halted. According to Hegseth, the boat involved was operated by a "Designated Terrorist Organization," underlining the administration's position that such actions are justified within a broader national security framework.
President Donald Trump has defended these military actions by asserting that the United States is engaged in "armed conflict" with drug cartels. He has also characterized the operators of these vessels as part of "foreign terror organizations." However, the administration has yet to provide concrete evidence or detailed explanations regarding the claims of terrorism associated with these drug operations.
In a briefing held on Wednesday, Hegseth, along with Secretary of State Marco Rubio, addressed a select group of congressional leaders about the expanding military campaign. This was one of the first occasions where high-ranking officials provided insights into the legal justifications and strategic rationale behind the ongoing strikes.
Following the briefing, reactions among congressional leaders were mixed. While Republicans generally remained silent or expressed support for the military campaign, Democrats voiced concerns regarding the need for more transparency. They called for greater clarification on the conduct of strikes and the legal justifications being employed, noting potential violations of both international and U.S. law stemming from actions that target alleged drug smugglers on the high seas.
On the same Thursday, Senate Republicans voted against legislation intended to impose restrictions on Trump's military authority concerning possible military action against Venezuela. This decision came as Democrats urged Congress to play a more significant role in shaping the administration's strategy against the Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his government.
