列国鉴丨记者观察：美国“出兵”拉美的四大疑问

Core Points - The U.S. government has claimed to have sunk 16 "drug trafficking boats" in the Caribbean and East Pacific since September, resulting in at least 64 deaths [1] - The military deployment in the Caribbean is described as the largest in 30 years, with President Trump authorizing CIA operations in Venezuela [1] - There are growing concerns and skepticism regarding the true intentions behind these military actions [1] Legal Concerns - Questions have arisen about the legality of these military actions under both U.S. domestic law and international law, as Congress has not formally authorized military action [2][3] - Critics, including members of Congress, have expressed concerns over the lack of transparency and evidence regarding the targets of these military operations [2][3] - An independent expert group from the UN Human Rights Council condemned the U.S. actions as violations of international law, equating them to extrajudicial killings [3] Drug Trafficking Justification - Trump's assertion of a "war on drug terrorism" has been met with skepticism, as the motivations for drug trafficking do not align with traditional definitions of terrorism [4] - The focus of U.S. military actions appears misaligned with actual drug trafficking routes, as most cocaine is trafficked through the Pacific rather than from Venezuela [4] - The effectiveness and sustainability of military actions against drug trafficking are questioned, with high operational costs and potential negative impacts on covert operations [4][5] Potential Invasion of Venezuela - Reports suggest that the U.S. military buildup may be aimed at pressuring Venezuelan President Maduro to step down, with concerns about a possible ground invasion [6][7] - Analysts believe that while the current military presence could conduct strikes, it is insufficient for a full-scale invasion [7] - The U.S. aims to leverage military threats to influence Venezuelan elites, rather than seeking a direct invasion [7][8] Shift in U.S. Foreign Policy - There is a noticeable shift in U.S. foreign policy focus towards the Western Hemisphere, with a revival of the Monroe Doctrine [9] - The Pentagon is expected to prioritize homeland and Western Hemisphere defense in its upcoming defense strategy [9] - Recent agreements, such as a $20 billion currency swap with Argentina, reflect a return to economic Monroeism, emphasizing U.S. influence in Latin America [9] Regional Reactions - The U.S. military actions may provoke strong backlash in Latin America, given the historical sensitivity to U.S. interventions [10] - Colombian President Petro criticized U.S. actions as "murder," highlighting the deteriorating relations between Colombia and the U.S. under the current administration [10]