President Donald Trump confirmed the death of three individuals identified as “narcoterrorists” following a military strike on a vessel in the Caribbean Sea. In a post to Truth Social on the evening of October 27, 2023, Trump stated that he had authorized the attack, which was carried out under the command of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. This operation marks the third such strike in less than a month, reflecting the administration’s intensified efforts to combat drug trafficking.
According to Trump, the vessel was traveling along a “known narcotrafficking passage” and was allegedly on its way to deliver drugs to the United States. The president’s statement emphasized that the operation was conducted in international waters, with no U.S. forces harmed during the attack. He noted, “Intelligence confirmed the vessel was trafficking illicit narcotics, and was transiting along a known narcotrafficking passage en route to poison Americans.”
This recent strike follows another attack on a similar vessel earlier in the week, which also resulted in the deaths of three individuals, as well as a previous strike that killed eleven earlier this month. Trump concluded his Truth Social post with a stark warning, stating, “STOP SELLING FENTANYL, NARCOTICS, AND ILLEGAL DRUGS IN AMERICA, AND COMMITTING VIOLENCE AND TERRORISM AGAINST AMERICANS!!!”
The announcement included a video purportedly showing the strike in action, depicting the targeted boat being hit and subsequently ignited. There are concerns surrounding the authenticity of such videos, as a previous similar video released in early September was later confirmed to be AI-generated. As of now, there is no indication that the latest video has been subjected to the same scrutiny.
While Trump claimed there was evidence of drug trafficking, including “big bags of cocaine and fentanyl all over the place,” specific details about the identities of those killed, their nationalities, and the exact nature of the cargo have not been disclosed. Inquiries to the White House for further information have gone unanswered.
Hegseth, who has been referred to as the Secretary of War by Trump, stated that the United States has “absolute and complete authority” to conduct such strikes in the name of national defense. However, the legal basis for these actions has drawn scrutiny. Reports indicate that some of Hegseth’s military legal advisors have cautioned against the legality of the strikes, raising concerns about their compliance with both domestic and international law.
In response to the administration’s actions, Senator Jack Reed, the ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, expressed skepticism about the justification for the strikes. He stated, “There is no evidence—none—that this strike was conducted in self-defense.” Reed emphasized that the U.S. military lacks the authority to use lethal force against civilian vessels without a self-defense justification.
The controversy surrounding these strikes has escalated, with critics questioning the transparency and legality of the operations. Retired Lt Col Rachel E. VanLandingham highlighted the troubling nature of using lethal force without adequate justification, stating, “The lack of transparency by the administration when they’re using lethal force in the American people’s name is deeply troubling.”
Despite the criticism, Vice President JD Vance defended the administration’s position. In a rally in Michigan, he dismissed concerns, emphasizing that the strikes were necessary to deter drug trafficking. He shared a conversation with Hegseth, jokingly noting that the absence of drug boats entering U.S. waters was a clear indication of their effectiveness.
As the political debate continues, the administration faces mounting pressure to clarify the legal foundations of its military operations against alleged narcotraffickers. The implications of these actions on international relations and domestic law remain to be seen as further developments unfold.
