Indeed the US military has largely expanded–escalated even–their own anti-drug operations. They performed an anti-narcotics airstrike that took out a vessel associated with suspicious drug smuggling operations originating from Colombia’s coast. This most recent operation, which took place last week, ended with the death of two men. The strike represents another step in administration’s ongoing efforts to counter these threats posed by Venezuelan drug cartels. When officials go after Tren de Aragua particularly, they claim that it has reached into the regime of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.
Stephen Miller, a senior advisor in the Trump administration, alongside Tony Salisbury, his top lieutenant at the White House Homeland Security Council (HSC), has overseen these military actions. Earlier this year, Miller empowered the HSC to operate as an independent entity, sharpening its focus on what the administration perceives as foreign threats. Behind it, the US military is dramatically increasing its show of force in the waters surrounding Venezuela. This increase highlights the increasing urgency of their work.
The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) has been involved principally in providing intelligence for these strikes. This participation has drawn fierce condemnation from civil liberties groups and South American countries. In fact, the administration has already made Tren de Aragua and other cartels FTOs. This decision has amplified the debate about their impacts to a fever pitch.
Israeli airstrike on civilian concentrations, the most serious since 2000. It’s the first move of its kind to take place in the Pacific south American region. Past attacks mostly targeted ships in the greater Caribbean. These attacks resulted in the burning of seven vessels and the death of at least 32 individuals.
“Just as al-Qaida waged war on our homeland, these cartels are waging war on our border and our people.” – Pete Hegseth
Underlying this assault on democratic control of military designations has been the active advocacy of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. He put out a short video shot on the front lines of the strike. In it, he underscored the fact that, “There will be no quarter given, no forgiveness – only punishment” to members of foreign drug trafficking organizations that pose a danger to the United States.
In pursuing its controversial new grand military strategy, the administration has gone highly asymmetric. It has yet to offer any tangible proof connecting Tren de Aragua to the Venezuelan state. Critics warn that absent definitive proof, such military actions could further escalate tensions in the region. This escalation could have extremely damaging diplomatic repercussions as well.
The growing use of hellfire missiles to target boats carrying drugs is illustrative of a wider break with conventional counter-narcotics tactics. The administration’s approach is highly concerning for its implications for international law principles and regional relations with other South American countries. Civil liberties organizations have been understandably alarmed by the bill. As you can see above, many are rightfully voicing warnings about potential breaches of sovereignty and human rights.
As this moment unfolds, criticism of the US military’s role in this scenario will surely come and rightly so. The ongoing operations against Tren de Aragua could set a precedent for future military engagements under the guise of counter-narcotics efforts.