US Military Strikes Drug Cartels Under Classified Legal Authority
The US military conducted strikes near Venezuela, targeting drug cartels, resulting in 21 deaths since September 3. A classified Trump administration legal opinion justifies these actions.
Overview
- The US military has conducted strikes on boats near Venezuela's coast, targeting individuals affiliated with drug cartels in the Caribbean.
- These strikes have resulted in at least 21 deaths since September 3, with four fatalities occurring in recent operations, raising questions about their legal basis.
- President Trump and his administration declared drug cartels unlawful combatants, authorizing lethal strikes based on a classified legal opinion from the Department of Justice.
- The classified DOJ memo justifies deadly force against cartels, including a secret list beyond publicly designated terrorist groups, citing an imminent threat to Americans.
- Lawmakers have requested the classified legal opinion from the DOJ and DoD, but it has not been provided, and military lawyers have expressed legal concerns.
Report issue
Read both sides in 5 minutes each day
Analysis
Analysis unavailable for this viewpoint.
Articles (3)
Center (0)
No articles found in the Center category
FAQ
The Trump administration is relying on a classified Department of Justice legal opinion that declares drug cartels as unlawful enemy combatants, thereby authorizing lethal strikes against them as part of an armed conflict with the justification of an imminent threat to Americans.
At least 21 people have been killed in the U.S. military strikes on boats near Venezuela since September 3, 2025.
Several experts have questioned the legality of the strikes under both U.S. law and international law. Additionally, Venezuelan officials accuse the U.S. of extrajudicial killings and view the strikes as potential threats to Venezuelan sovereignty and regime stability.
No, despite requests from lawmakers, the classified Department of Justice legal opinion authorizing the strikes has not been provided to Congress or made public, and military lawyers have expressed concerns over the legal rationale.
The U.S. government has released video footage of the strikes and cited intelligence confirming the vessels were trafficking narcotics. However, independent evidence such as actual recovered drugs or weapons on the sunken boats has not been publicly presented, leading to skepticism from some observers.
History
- This story does not have any previous versions.