US Military Strikes Suspected Drug-Trafficking Vessels, Killing Five
The United States Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) has recently undertaken two deadly strikes on suspected drug-trafficking vessels. The strikes, occurring within the span of a week, resulted in five deaths, leaving one survivor. No U.S. military personnel were harmed in either operation.
Background and Context
The first of the strikes took place on February 9 in the Eastern Pacific, killing two people and leaving one survivor. The second operation occurred on February 13 in the Caribbean, resulting in three deaths. Both strikes were carried out under the direction of SOUTHCOM commander Gen. Francis L. Donovan and his Joint Task Force Southern Spear.
The strikes are part of an ongoing campaign by the Trump administration against alleged drug-trafficking vessels in the Caribbean and Pacific Oceans. Since early September, the U.S. has carried out at least 38 similar operations, resulting in a total of 133 deaths.
Key Developments
In a statement, SOUTHCOM confirmed that intelligence confirmed the vessel was transiting along known narco-trafficking routes in the Caribbean and was engaged in narco-trafficking operations.
Following the strikes, the U.S. Coast Guard was immediately notified to activate a search-and-rescue system for the lone survivor who escaped the attack in the Eastern Pacific.
The campaign has been controversial, with some lawmakers and legal experts questioning the legality of the operations. A group of Democratic lawmakers, including Senators Elissa Slotkin and Mark Kelly, released a video in November urging members of the U.S. military and security agencies to “refuse illegal orders.” They insisted that no one has to carry out orders that violate the law or our Constitution.
Reactions and Implications
Despite the controversy, a grand jury in Washington refused to indict the lawmakers over their call to disobey orders, a move that was reportedly pushed by the Justice Department.
The strikes have also resulted in leadership changes within the U.S. military. Gen Francis L Donovan assumed command of the Florida-based combat unit after a U.S. navy admiral, Alvin Holsey, chose to retire over reported disagreements over the boat-strike policy.
President Donald Trump reacted to the lawmakers' video by accusing its authors of “seditious behavior, punishable by death!"
Conclusion
The recent strikes bring the death toll from the Trump administration’s strikes on alleged drug boats to 133 people in at least 38 attacks carried out since early September in the Caribbean Sea and eastern Pacific Ocean. The operations, while touted for their success in combating drug trafficking, continue to raise questions about their legality and effect on U.S. military leadership.