US Military Conducts Another Deadly Strike in Pacific, Killing Four Men Suspected of Carrying Illegal Narcotics.
A video posted on social media by the US southern command shows a large explosion engulfing a small boat in international waters, followed by an image of a vessel ablaze and dark smoke streaming overhead. The strike is believed to have killed four men suspected of carrying illicit narcotics, bringing the death toll of the campaign against drug smugglers in the Caribbean Sea and eastern Pacific Ocean to at least 87 people.
The latest attack has raised more questions about the legality of the US military's anti-drug strikes, with lawmakers criticizing the administration for not providing clear answers. The Pentagon and White House have faced scrutiny over the justification for these operations, with many arguing that they are unlawful under international law.
According to a report by the Washington Post, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth had verbally directed the military to "kill them all" in September, sparking concerns about the administration's handling of the strikes. A Democratic lawmaker has now introduced articles of impeachment against Hegseth, citing his alleged breach of rules.
However, an admiral who commanded the attack has denied that there was a direct order to kill everyone on board. Some lawmakers have defended the operation, arguing that those involved were "narco-terrorists" attempting to resupply their vessels. However, legal experts argue that killing someone in such a situation is manifestly unlawful.
"I'd love to know how Senator Cotton … was able to detect these shipwrecked people were trying to 'stay in the fight' versus clinging to dear life in an effort to survive," said Ryan Goodman, a New York University law professor. "Even if you buy all the legal falsehoods (that this is an 'armed conflict', that drugs are war-sustaining objects), the two shipwrecked were in no way, shape or form engaged in 'active combat activities'."
The administration has argued that the US is at war with drug traffickers and that these strikes are lawful under the rules of war. However, most legal experts reject this argument, pointing out that even if the individuals on board are considered combatants, killing them while they are incapacitated would be unlawful.
In reality, it appears that those killed in the strike were simply shipwrecked survivors trying to stay alive, without any means of locomotion or active combat activities. The US military's anti-drug strikes continue to raise concerns about the administration's approach to counter-narcotics operations and the legality of these actions.
A video posted on social media by the US southern command shows a large explosion engulfing a small boat in international waters, followed by an image of a vessel ablaze and dark smoke streaming overhead. The strike is believed to have killed four men suspected of carrying illicit narcotics, bringing the death toll of the campaign against drug smugglers in the Caribbean Sea and eastern Pacific Ocean to at least 87 people.
The latest attack has raised more questions about the legality of the US military's anti-drug strikes, with lawmakers criticizing the administration for not providing clear answers. The Pentagon and White House have faced scrutiny over the justification for these operations, with many arguing that they are unlawful under international law.
According to a report by the Washington Post, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth had verbally directed the military to "kill them all" in September, sparking concerns about the administration's handling of the strikes. A Democratic lawmaker has now introduced articles of impeachment against Hegseth, citing his alleged breach of rules.
However, an admiral who commanded the attack has denied that there was a direct order to kill everyone on board. Some lawmakers have defended the operation, arguing that those involved were "narco-terrorists" attempting to resupply their vessels. However, legal experts argue that killing someone in such a situation is manifestly unlawful.
"I'd love to know how Senator Cotton … was able to detect these shipwrecked people were trying to 'stay in the fight' versus clinging to dear life in an effort to survive," said Ryan Goodman, a New York University law professor. "Even if you buy all the legal falsehoods (that this is an 'armed conflict', that drugs are war-sustaining objects), the two shipwrecked were in no way, shape or form engaged in 'active combat activities'."
The administration has argued that the US is at war with drug traffickers and that these strikes are lawful under the rules of war. However, most legal experts reject this argument, pointing out that even if the individuals on board are considered combatants, killing them while they are incapacitated would be unlawful.
In reality, it appears that those killed in the strike were simply shipwrecked survivors trying to stay alive, without any means of locomotion or active combat activities. The US military's anti-drug strikes continue to raise concerns about the administration's approach to counter-narcotics operations and the legality of these actions.
. And what's with the "kill them all" directive? Sounds like someone was channeling their inner Terminator 
. I'm not saying the US is wrong about the drug problem, but do we really need to be using military force for it? Can't they just, like, arrest the bad guys and throw 'em in a cell somewhere? 
. And btw, what's with all the impeachment drama? Can't we just have a calm conversation about this stuff? 
. It looks like they killed four men who were just trying to survive after being shipwrecked... it doesn't seem right 
. The Pentagon and White House are saying that the US is at war with drug traffickers, but it seems more like a case of mistaken identity 
.
. The administration needs to provide clearer answers about what they're doing and why they're killing these people 
. It's not just a matter of being "narco-terrorists" trying to resupply their vessels... that's not how it works 
.
. We need to make sure that they're not violating human rights or international law 
.
what if they were innocent people just trying to survive? i dont think we should be sending our soldiers to kill people in a boat in the middle of the ocean its not right 
lawprof says its unlawful nd i gotta agree lol. US mil needs 2 rethink its strategy or atleast provide some real info on wut its doin 
. I mean, think about it - they're basically killing people who are just trying to survive at sea after their boat has sunk 
. It's not like they were actively engaging with anyone or anything on that vessel 
. They're always talking about how they're fighting a war on drugs, but it seems like that's just a PR spin 
. The reality is that most of these people are just innocent bystanders caught up in something they had no control over 
Not to mention, the fact that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth allegedly directed the military to "kill them all" is just insane 
.
and yeah, senator cotton saying these people were "narco-terrorists" doesn't sit right with me either... it sounds like a bunch of bs to me. i don't get why ppl can't just say if they're trying to supply drugs or not, instead of making up some crazy narrative 
. If thats not a direct order to murder innocent people, what is? 
. We need to get to the bottom of this and hold those in charge accountable 
anyway back 2 this news i think its wild how the us military is doing these anti-drug strikes they're basically just shooting people who r just trying to survive after their boat sank 
like what even r the chances of them having guns on a sinking ship?
sounds like a total fish story 
.