Post by : Rameen Ariff

On Friday, the US military executed its 10th strike on a suspected drug smuggling boat in the Caribbean, resulting in the deaths of six individuals and intensifying its offensive against narcotics trafficking. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced that this operation aimed at a vessel associated with the Tren de Aragua gang, which has ties to a Venezuelan prison, also noted to be the first nighttime operation of its kind.

According to Hegseth, the strike occurred in international waters, highlighting that the Trump administration views drug traffickers as equivalent to terrorist threats, asserting that the US will "track, pursue, and eliminate you." This operation coincided with an unusual increase in US military presence in the Caribbean and around Venezuela, stirring worries about rising tensions in the area.

The frequency of these military actions has swiftly escalated, from one strike every few weeks in September to three within the current week. Several incidents took place in the eastern Pacific Ocean, indicating an expanded target zone for cocaine smuggling. Pentagon-released footage captured a small boat on tranquil waters before it was obliterated by a projectile, causing a dramatic explosion.

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro denounced these strikes, claiming that the US is misusing fabricated drug trafficking accusations to justify regime change. Venezuelan Defence Minister Vladimir Padrino voiced concerns, asserting that US military activities are aimed at “forcing a regime change,” while the Trump administration defends its operations as a necessary fight against narco-terrorism.

Trump underscored that drug cartels are viewed as unlawful combatants, stating that the US is engaged in an "armed conflict" against them. His comments draw parallels to the post-9/11 war on terror, marking a strategic shift in combating drug trafficking in the Western Hemisphere.

Despite bipartisan worries in Congress regarding legality and potential breaches of international law, the Republican-controlled Senate has obstructed a resolution aimed at necessitating presidential approval for further military actions. Democrats voice ongoing concerns that US strikes on drug-seeking vessels might further escalate lawlessness and incite international criticism.

The recent strike exemplifies the US government's heightened efforts to combat narcotics smuggling, confirming that military operations against drug-trafficking vessels in the Caribbean are set to persist as a part of the broader drug war.

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