U. S. Military Actions in Pacific Raise Questions

The U. S. military has recently targeted and destroyed another boat in the Pacific Ocean. This action resulted in the deaths of three individuals, who were accused of drug trafficking by the Trump administration. This brings the total number of people killed in such operations to at least 83 since early September. The U. S. Southern Command made this announcement on social media. They claimed the boat was operated by a "designated terrorist organization" and was involved in drug trafficking. However, they did not provide any evidence to support these claims. The announcement included a video showing an explosion, but no further details were given. This is the 21st known attack on boats suspected of drug trafficking in the waters off Central and South America. The U. S. military has not publicly provided evidence for these claims. Among those killed was a Colombian fisherman, whose family is seeking justice. Legal experts have criticized these strikes. They argue that the U. S. military is not allowed to intentionally target civilians who do not pose an immediate threat. The administration defends the strikes, stating that President Trump has declared a formal armed conflict with drug cartels. Therefore, they consider those on the boats as "combatants. " The announcement of the latest strike came shortly after the Navy revealed that the U. S. S. Gerald R. Ford, the largest and most advanced aircraft carrier, had arrived in the Caribbean. This adds about 5, 500 military personnel to the existing force of 10, 000 troops in the region. This buildup is the largest in decades and enhances the U. S. 's ability to conduct further strikes. President Trump made a brief statement about Venezuela. He mentioned that Venezuela "would like to talk" but did not elaborate. When asked about negotiations, he responded vaguely, stating that he talks to anyone, including reporters. Additionally, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that the State Department would designate a Venezuelan group, Cartel de Los Soles, as a foreign terrorist organization. This designation claims that the group is run by Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. This move follows a similar designation made by the Treasury Department in July. These actions raise questions about the legality and ethics of the U. S. military's operations in the region. The lack of evidence and transparency in these strikes has drawn criticism from legal experts and human rights advocates. The situation in Venezuela remains tense, with the U. S. considering further military action.