Tonight, President Trump's war on drugs potentially expanding after US strikes on alleged drug boats near Venezuela. The Trump administration has now begun detailed planning to send US troops and intelligence officers to Mexico to target drug cartels with drone strikes for current and former US officials familiar with the effort. Tell NBC News.A deployment is not imminent, they say, and it comes after the US says it killed 64 people on boats smuggling drugs to the United States. Overnight, President Trump w ...

US Military Intervention in Drug Trafficking - US forces conducted strikes on boats allegedly transporting drugs in the Eastern Pacific, led by the Department of Defense [1][3] - The strikes resulted in at least 61 fatalities since September, with 4 deaths in the most recent strike [2] - The Secretary of Defense is framing these operations as targeting designated terrorist organizations, justifying military involvement [4] - The administration has not yet provided concrete evidence linking the targets to drug trafficking or terrorism, but alludes to US intelligence [8] Geopolitical Implications - There are concerns about potential involvement of Chinese organized crime syndicates in drug trafficking [11] - The Venezuelan government is implicated in drug trafficking activities, with evidence presented in US courts [13] - Colombia has been a major cocaine producer for decades, adding to the geopolitical complexity [13] - The US military actions could have international ramifications beyond the Americas, affecting the stability of governments in Venezuela and Colombia [14] Shift in US Drug Enforcement Strategy - The US is shifting from law enforcement-led drug operations to military-led interventions [3] - The Department of Defense is now leading the war on drugs in the Americas, a major shift from previous strategies led by the DEA, Coast Guard, and FBI [4][5] - Congress may request access to intelligence to verify the targets were indeed drug traffickers [9]

We have some breaking news. The Pentagon has just announced it's deploying a Navy air carrier strike group to Latin America to support President Trump's fight against drug cartels. It comes after the US carried out another legal strike on a boat in international waters overnight.That was the 10th since September. Defense Secretary Pete Hath shared this video of that attack on what he says is a vessel operated by Venezuelan cartels engaged in drug trafficking. Six men were aboard.All we're told were killed i ...

President Trump this weekend escalated tensions against uh Colombia um country in South America that has for a long time been a close partner with the United States. >> They are a drug manufacturing machine Colombia. >> He said that he was going to end assistance aid to uh Colombia's government and then he accused Colombia's president Gustavo Petro of being an illegal drug leader as Trump put it.Colombia is out of control and now they have the worst president they've ever had. He's a lunatic who's got a lot ...

Tonight, the Trump administration escalating its fight against drug cartels, carrying out another deadly strike on a boat it says was carrying drug smugglers. Courtney QB has been tracking this. And Courtney, this is now the fourth US strike off the coast of Venezuela.Yeah, that's right, Tom. And defense secretary Pete Hegets today saying four people he called narot terrorists were killed in the strike. The Pentagon releasing this video of the latest strike.The US saying that boat was carrying a substantial ...

International Relations & Drug Policy - Colombia's President states the US has "decertified" Colombia as a partner in the war on drugs [1] - This decertification occurs amidst the largest cocaine boom in history [1]

International Relations & Drug Policy - Colombia's President states the US has "decertified" Colombia as a partner in the war on drugs [1] - This decertification occurs during the largest cocaine boom in history [1]

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]

Political & Social Impact - Colombia's conviction of a divisive former president is reigniting fierce debates [1] - The debates are centered around his all-out war on drugs [1] Drug-Related Violence - An explosion of cocaine violence is currently rattling the nation [1]