U. S. Senators Question Military Strikes on Suspected Drug Boats

Senators from the Democratic party have raised concerns about the U. S. military's recent actions against suspected drug vessels. They want the Justice Department to explain the legal basis for these strikes, which have resulted in around 57 deaths. The senators argue that killing suspects without proper legal process goes against both domestic and international laws, whether in times of peace or war. The military has carried out at least 13 strikes since September, mainly in the Caribbean. The Pentagon has not shared many details about who was targeted, but some of the victims are from Venezuela, Colombia, and Ecuador. The current administration has accused these countries of being involved in the drug trade, but both governments have denied these claims. The administration has not provided evidence that these vessels pose an immediate threat to the U. S. This approach is different from how the U. S. has traditionally handled suspected drug vessels. Usually, the Coast Guard would intercept these boats, and a task force called "Panama Express" would investigate and prosecute the cases. However, this task force has been shut down, and its cases have been moved to a new Homeland Security Task Force. The senators are also questioning why federal agents who usually handle drug cases are now being used for immigration enforcement. They believe these changes are counterproductive and hinder efforts to combat the drug epidemic. The Justice Department has responded by stating that the military operations follow the laws of armed conflict. However, some legal experts argue that these strikes could be considered unlawful extrajudicial killings.