UPDATE: President Donald Trump confirmed a lethal strike that killed three unidentified “narcoterrorists” in the Caribbean Sea. This announcement was made on September 29, 2023, via a post on Truth Social, where Trump stated he ordered Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to target a vessel engaged in narcotrafficking.
The attack marks the third operation of its kind in under a month, following a similar strike earlier this week that also resulted in three deaths and an earlier strike that killed eleven. Trump’s post emphasized the mission’s urgency, declaring the boat was traversing a “known narcotrafficking passage en route to poison Americans.”
“Intelligence confirmed the vessel was trafficking illicit narcotics,” Trump wrote, noting that the operation occurred in the USSOUTHCOM area of responsibility. He also stated that no U.S. forces were harmed during the strike, which took place in international waters.
In a dramatic conclusion to his announcement, Trump shouted, “STOP SELLING FENTANYL, NARCOTICS, AND ILLEGAL DRUGS IN AMERICA!” The accompanying video purportedly depicts the moment of the strike, showing a boat engulfed in flames. However, similar footage from earlier this month was later revealed to be AI-generated, raising questions about the authenticity of the latest video.
Details surrounding the identities of the deceased and the specifics of the narcotics on board remain unclear. The Daily Beast has reached out to the White House for further comment on this developing situation. Earlier this week, when pressed for evidence regarding narcotics onboard the previously targeted vessel, Trump claimed, “We have proof. All you have to do is look at the cargo that was spattered all over the ocean.”
Legal experts are voicing significant concerns over the legality of these strikes. Hegseth, now rebranded by Trump as the Secretary of War, asserted to reporters that the U.S. has “absolute and complete authority” to execute strikes on suspected drug smugglers under the guise of defending American citizens. However, reports indicate that military lawyers within Hegseth’s own department expressed warnings about potential legal violations.
Retired Lt. Col. Rachel E. VanLandingham stated to CNN that the administration’s lack of transparency regarding these lethal actions is “deeply troubling.” She highlighted the absence of clear evidence supporting claims of self-defense in these operations.
Democratic Senator Jack Reed, ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, criticized the administration’s actions, asserting, “There is no evidence—none—that this strike was conducted in self-defense.” He emphasized that under both domestic and international law, the military lacks the authority to use lethal force against a civilian vessel unless in self-defense.
Meanwhile, Vice President JD Vance dismissed critics of the strikes during a rally in Michigan, stating, “I don’t give a s–t,” and humorously commenting on the lack of drug boats entering U.S. waters. His remarks underscore the controversial nature of the administration’s recent military actions.
This story is rapidly developing, and further updates will follow as more information becomes available. As the administration navigates these controversial military operations, the implications for U.S. foreign policy and domestic drug enforcement strategies remain to be seen.
