02-11-2025

US Military Strikes Alleged Drug-Trafficking Boats in Caribbean

Date: 02-11-2025
Sources: edition.cnn.com: 2 | foxnews.com: 1 | news.sky.com: 1 | npr.org: 1 | nytimes.com: 1
Image for cluster 8
Image Source:

Source: news.sky.com

Image content: The image depicts a large US naval aircraft carrier at sea, showcasing its size and military capabilities. The vessel is shown from an aerial perspective, highlighting its deck and various aircraft on board. The surrounding waters are choppy, indicating that the carrier is in operation. The image relates to the news article as it visually represents the US military's naval presence in the Caribbean, which is central to the story about the strikes on alleged drug-trafficking boats. This image is relevant to news coverage as it illustrates the military assets involved in the operations described in the article, providing context to the Trump administration's efforts to disrupt transnational cartels. In 2-3 sentences, the image shows a US naval aircraft carrier at sea, highlighting the military's capabilities and presence in the Caribbean region. This visual representation supports the news article's discussion on the US military's strikes against alleged drug-trafficking boats. The image provides context to the administration's efforts to combat transnational cartels.

Summary

The US military has carried out multiple strikes on alleged drug-trafficking boats in the Caribbean, killing at least 64 people, amid a campaign by the Trump administration to disrupt transnational cartels. The strikes have raised concerns about their legality and the administration's authority to conduct such operations without congressional approval.

Key Points

  • The US military has conducted at least 15 strikes on alleged drug-smuggling vessels since early September.
  • The strikes have killed at least 64 people and have been justified by the Trump administration as a necessary escalation to stem the flow of drugs into the US.
  • Lawmakers have questioned the legality and goal of the strikes, with Senate Democrats requesting more information about the legal justification and details about the targeted cartels and individuals killed.
  • The administration argues that the strikes do not fall under the War Powers Resolution, as they do not constitute 'hostilities' and American service members are not in danger.

Articles in this Cluster

US military strikes another alleged drug-trafficking boat in the Caribbean, killing 3 | CNN PoliticsClose icon

The US military carried out a strike on a boat in the Caribbean Sea on Saturday, killing three people, as part of a monthslong campaign by the Trump administration against alleged drug-traffickers. The strike is the 15th known US military strike on an alleged drug-smuggling vessel since early September, and has been widely criticized as likely illegal. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth announced the strike, stating that the boat was carrying narcotics and was operated by a Designated Terrorist Organization (DTO). The strike has been condemned by Democrats in Congress and international leaders, who have questioned the legality of the Trump administration's actions.
Entities: US military, Caribbean Sea, Pete Hegseth, Donald Trump, Designated Terrorist Organization (DTO)Tone: neutralSentiment: negativeIntent: inform

Video: Trump considering plans to target cocaine facilities inside Venezuela | CNN Politics

The article discusses President Donald Trump's consideration of targeting cocaine facilities in Venezuela despite the country not being a major producer of the drug. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has ordered the USS Gerald R. Ford, the world's largest aircraft carrier, to the Caribbean region amid a massive buildup of US forces. The article also touches on other news stories, including Hurricane Melissa's impact on Jamaica and Cuba, the opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum, and various other global news events.
Entities: Donald Trump, Venezuela, Pete Hegseth, USS Gerald R. Ford, CaribbeanTone: neutralSentiment: negativeIntent: inform

War Department launches 15th strike in Trump’s anti-cartel campaign | Fox News

The US Department of War, led by Secretary Pete Hegseth, announced its 15th strike against alleged narco-terrorists in the Caribbean Sea, killing three suspected smugglers. The operation is part of a broader campaign against transnational cartels, authorized by President Donald Trump. The strikes have killed at least 64 people, with Democrats questioning the legal rationale behind the operations and calling for more transparency.
Entities: Pete Hegseth, Donald Trump, Caribbean Sea, US Department of War, Al QaedaTone: neutralSentiment: negativeIntent: inform

Satellite images show US military edging closer to Venezuela - as Trump's intentions questioned | World News | Sky News

The US military has been edging closer to Venezuela, with satellite images showing a US assault ship, USS Iwo Jima, conducting live-fire drills less than 200km from the Venezuelan coastline. The move has raised speculation about US President Donald Trump's intentions, with Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro accusing the US of creating a false narrative to justify an attack. The US has been scaling up its military presence in the Caribbean Sea and Eastern Pacific, deploying warships, aircraft, and thousands of troops, citing the need to target drug trafficking networks. Defence experts warn that the deployment could be seen as an intimidation tactic by the Venezuelan regime.
Entities: US, Venezuela, Donald Trump, Nicolas Maduro, USS Iwo JimaTone: neutralSentiment: negativeIntent: inform

US carries out new strike in Caribbean, killing 3 alleged drug smugglers : NPR

The U.S. military has carried out another lethal strike on alleged drug smugglers in the Caribbean Sea, killing three people. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced the strike on social media, stating that the vessel was operated by a U.S.-designated terrorist organization. This is at least the 15th such strike carried out by the U.S. military in the Caribbean or eastern Pacific since early September, with a total of at least 64 people killed. The strikes have been justified by President Donald Trump as a necessary escalation to stem the flow of drugs into the United States, relying on the same legal authority used in the war on terrorism after the 9/11 attacks. However, lawmakers have questioned the legality and goal of the strikes, with Senate Democrats requesting more information about the legal justification and details about the targeted cartels and individuals killed.
Entities: U.S. military, Caribbean Sea, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, President Donald Trump, drug cartelsTone: neutralSentiment: negativeIntent: inform

War Powers Law Does Not Apply to Trump’s Boat Strikes, Administration Says - The New York Times

The US Justice Department has told Congress that President Trump's military strikes on boats suspected of smuggling drugs at sea do not fall under the War Powers Resolution, a 1973 law that limits the president's ability to engage in military hostilities without congressional authorization for more than 60 days. The administration argues that the strikes, carried out largely by drones, do not constitute 'hostilities' as defined by the law because American service members are not in danger. The strikes have killed at least 62 people across 14 airstrikes, and the administration has told Congress that Trump has determined the operation counts as a formal armed conflict. The decision builds on a precedent established by President Obama during the 2011 NATO air war over Libya, which was met with significant disagreement at the time.
Entities: T. Elliot Gaiser, President Trump, Barack Obama, Pete Hegseth, Richard M. NixonTone: neutralSentiment: negativeIntent: inform