‘Pulling teeth’: Pentagon offers little explanation to strike on alleged Venezuelan drug boat

U.S. Military Action & Legal Justification - The U.S government blew up a boat in the Caribbean, killing 11 people, identified as Venezuelan drug boat by President Trump and Marco Rubio, but without offering proof or legal authority in international waters [1] - The action is described as "extraordinary" by a former senior law enforcement official, who has never seen the U.S military directly blow up a drug shipment [1] - The Pentagon is divided, with some expressing concern and others supporting the action as part of the "war on drugs," using the term "kinetic" to describe the strike [2][3] - Pentagon officials are struggling to articulate the legal authorization for the strike, with some suggesting a stretched interpretation of the AUMF (Authorization for Use of Military Force) to classify drug dealers as terrorists [3][4] - There is concern that the administration is increasingly involving the military in political agendas [5] Transparency & Accountability - The Pentagon has not provided a briefing or legal justification for the operation, and officials are struggling to release a statement explaining the legal basis [7][8] - There is no proof offered to confirm the 11 people on board were transporting drugs [8] - Conflicting narratives exist regarding the boat's destination, with initial claims of it heading to the United States, then Trinidad, and then back to the United States [9] - There is skepticism about whether the boat could fit 11 people and whether it was indeed a drug boat or possibly carrying immigrants [10] - Secretary Hets stated they knew exactly who was on board and what they were doing, but declined to provide details, claiming "11 narco terrorists" were eliminated [11] Potential Consequences & Concerns - The action is described as unprecedented, dangerous, and an abuse of military power, pushing boundaries without accountability or transparency [12][13][14] - The action put American troops at risk without proper explanation to the public [12][13] - There are concerns about a pattern of sending troops into situations without proper authorization or public support, leading to uncharted territory in terms of accountability [14]