Great article, and its complicated and we the general public are not aware of the full story and all the actions that have been taken diplomatically or other to stem the flow. Imagine trying to negotiate a deal with a drug lord/cartel?
I am for any governmental action against an economy that relies on the sale of drugs at the detriment of others for their own selfish greed and power. A quick Google search said that there were 23000+ deaths in 2023 due to cocaine overdose. So IDC if it is fentanyl, cocaine or or other, these countries and their drug lords are exploiting and praying on citizens of the US and it has to stop.
Just ask any family who has had a member die from an overdose of coke or fentanyl.
Ask our economist what the cost of emergency care, ask our medical professionals what the resources are, list goes on.
This quote from Mr. Cole is telling a variety of levels... "This disparity is not accidental. It reflects a deeper institutional and media bias that views executive action through a sharply partisan lens: restrained when exercised by Democrats, reckless when exercised by Republicans."""
Did anyone read about the death of Mr. and Mrs. Reiner?
As a Health Instructor at a City College, I encountered more than one opposition I had and still have with drug use (its just like a beer). It is only a small item and I can handle it was the common statement from students. Does anyone get it that the Banditos don't care about this nation or the health of its citizens?
Another quote from Mr. Cole ... "The broad and illegal importation of fentanyl is a clear and present danger, exacerbated by weak borders and foreign-based cartels. """"
Who in the heck thinks these guys are? Part of the Church saving the souls of everyone?
There was a serious drug problem in the army during Vietnam. It was the Hippy Dippy days where tune in, turn on, drop out was before the sad and dramatic impacts of today's drug culture. It cost lives.
I have multiple friends who have lost their kids to Fentanyl. And this is just the latest and deadliness of the create a drug culture.
It is war upon not only this country, but every country that says they want a clean and healthy population. Wage war on us and this is what you get. Look to our neighbor to the south. Mexico is in the grip of drug lords where the President walks a very fine line.
Think our neighbors to the north called Canada are pristine? Not close.
These jerks are terrorists waging war for money and profit without any regard for the health and safety of this nation.
Approximately 0% of the fentanyl entering the United States originates in Venezuela, according to multiple official U.S. government reports, law enforcement assessments, and independent analyses as of 2025.
The primary source of illicit fentanyl affecting the U.S. is Mexico, where transnational criminal organizations (such as the Sinaloa and Jalisco New Generation cartels) synthesize the drug using precursor chemicals mainly sourced from China (and increasingly India). This is consistently stated in:
The U.S. State Department's 2025 International Narcotics Control Strategy Report, which identifies Mexico as "the only significant source of illicit fentanyl and fentanyl analogues significantly affecting the United States" in 2024.
The DEA's 2025 National Drug Threat Assessment, which attributes production predominantly to Mexican cartels and does not mention Venezuela as a source or transit point for fentanyl.
SO WHAT DOES VENEZUELA HAVE? The largest oil deposits IN THE WORLD. Sorry but this move on the little boats is the lead up to just another in the long string of American regime-change wars.
I understand the desire to stop the flow of drugs into the country, but drug enforcement in international waters is a law enforcement action. It’s backed by international maritime law, including UNCLOS, UN resolutions, and the U.S. MDLEA. Conservatives condemn Democrats for lawlessness all the time, yet now they selectively abandon the law when it becomes inconvenient or politically satisfying? If America wants AUMF expanded to narcotics trafficking, then Congress should legislate that, and the State Dept should then work on the diplomacy with our allies.
We’re in murky waters, using the post-9/11 AUMF, a terrorism authority, to stretch it to drug traffickers. There’s no fentanyl that comes from Venezuela, and most of these drugs do not reach U.S. shores. The cost-benefit of violating the law isn’t there. This is opening a can of worms worldwide in international waters and could prevent our allies from working with us on interdiction, where we stop things other than drugs, like weapons, contraband, and terrorism funds. I’d rather be on the right side of the law.
We should intercept these vessels, stop them at sea, seize their cargo, and when they violently resist interdiction, use deadly force. Most smugglers give up when confronted. They are not combatants.
The people on boats are not cartel leaders, decision makers, trying to “war” on America. They are literally forced labor, driving a boat from point A to point B, and many teenagers are trafficked into service.
And there’s a moral inconsistency here that deserves scrutiny. Some who would support an absolute abortion ban for a 14-year-old Venezuelan girl raped by cartel members seem perfectly comfortable with indiscriminately dropping a bomb on that same baby when trafficked as a 14-year-old. It's hard for me to reconcile that.
Stopping drug traffickers is necessary. Abandoning legal and moral coherence to do so is not a strength; it’s hypocrisy. I hold myself to a higher standard as an American, and I’m confident I’ve spent more hours doing this type of work, with my butt on the line, than most here.
My best friend from growing up, who was 18 years old, died from a drug overdose, and my dad years later, in the exact same neighborhood. That still doesn't justify violating my integrity as an American.
Nothing is more morally bankrupt than abortion. Nothing more innocent than an unborn baby. Your support of "abortion rights" leaves no room to opine on the morality of killing drug traffickers.
Commander Smith, just curious as to your stance on the outrageous comments made by Senator Mark Kelly? Did Kelly incite mutiny of US service members, in violation of the UCMJ? What of the other “Seditious Six,” do you denounce their conduct?
How can our military act decisively with conflicting statements being made by civilian officials?
Out of line. I actually drafted an OPED for the SB Current on this topic, but I never submitted it as the topic went lower priority. I should send it in. The US Military does not need politicians to tell them to follow lawful orders. The system is already set up for that to happen. Enlisted and Officers take two different oaths for a good reason. The system regulates itself. It's not the military's duty or responsibility to check the President's use of the AUMF. It's Congress. Every President has designated terrorists under AUMF. There's way too much focus on Trump and everything he does, and it's somehow novel. He does publicize it in a way other Presidents didn't, so maybe the American public likes government secrecy they don't know about and not transparency. But I've spent many hours staring at screens, dropping bombs on suspected terrorist meetings under Obama...
Mark Kelly politicizing the military on a social media video is entirely out of line. Now I would have preferred a more presidential response to the video...
The people doing their job in the military don't listen to political BS. They know their duty. I never once posted anything political in uniform, or changed what I was doing based on some congressman's nonsense...
Here's another military insider secret: most pilots don't lead people until higher ranks. You saw Top Gun? How many men and women was Tom Cruise leading in the first movie? Mark Kelly went through the astronaut program before he held any rank as a pilot who would be taking high-level command orders and filtering them to the men and women as lawful combat orders. He's not the best authority on the subject just because he held the rank of Navy Captain. I would consult a Navy Captain who had major command in the operational forces. Not a member of a space shuttle crew...
Deadmen tell no tales, or so it would seem. Proportionality? If a foreign government was smuggling material needed for a nuclear dirty bomb or a bio weapon such as Anthrax, would the US use lethal force then? Of course we would! Why is Fentanyl any different, as it also causes massive casualties.
The drug cartels have been deemed a “Foreign Terrorist Organization” (FTO), therefore, the legal predicate is in place to use lethal force whenever necessary. Let the drone wars begin, the time is approaching whereby cartel leaders will be taken out surgically in Mexico, Columbia, Bolivia or wherever, if those governments involved can’t or won’t stop the drug traffic.
The sad reality is most of those countries in Latin America are failed states, propped up by the drug trade and in many cases, aligned with China and Iran.
“Blackjack” Pershing was mentioned earlier in his attempt to capture Pancho Villa in response to his murderous rampage in Columbus, New Mexico which resulted in dozens of American civilians being killed. Although, Pershing was unsuccessful, why is today any different under the Trump corollary to the Monroe Doctrine?
Let’s not forget, President Obama ordered the death by drone, multiple US citizens in Yemen. The reaction from the media?
Great Article. Thank you for providing these details.
Narco Terrorists have no sympathy for the people that the drugs they smuggle will kill.
I understand that Fentanyl ,in large doses,if you even get close to it can kill you.
People don't remember the Halloween under Biden where they were warning parents to be careful as drugs looking like candy Fentanyl were being given to children.
Fentanyl is a lethal drug and can be hidden easily in other substances.
Those trafficking these substances know it will kill many people,hence why they are killed Narco Terrorists.
Thomas, nice summary of the actions taken by a few previous presidents. Going back a bit further Kennedy-LBJ's Vietnam is another example of war type actions not approved by congress.
Let's not forget Black Jack Pershing's 1916 expedition into Mexico to deal with Pancho Villa. Or Pershing's 1892 mission to round up and deport a large number of Cree Indians to Canada. Perhaps today's military could be use to round up and deport fentanyl dealers to Venezuela.
I suspect in the near future Venezuela will return to the beautiful prosperous country it was before the Communists/Socialists took over. They will not accept or tolerate fentanyl dealers. New York City perhaps?
Thomas, I'm in complete agreement with Trump's war on drug trafficking. He's facing a problem that's been compromised by the legalization of pot. This week, people on the right and left are criticizing him about softening towards pot. I don't agree with these people, but it is worth reading the most intelligent of them, like Alex Berenson https://alexberenson.substack.com/p/america-and-americans-must-stand
And when it came to Republican presidents of the past, Bush was said by reputable people I know who were in Central America at that time, to be profiting from the cocaine trade. One friend of mine asked a NYT reporter why he wasn't covering what apparently was obvious if you were there. My friend said the reporter shrugged “What do you want from me? I'm just a reporter.”
As it has been stated many times regarding Marijuana,it's not legalizing it. It's changing it's classification From 3-1. Allowing for the drug to be researched for Medical treatments and those growing can receive Federal subsidies.
Marijuana is currently used for Medical issues,as post Chemo and for pain issues. That's nothing new. A Doctor could prescribe Marijuana for treatments for many years. Medicinal Marijuana.
I agree with you, but Berenson is a really good reporter and ethical journalist (yes, there are a few). He was harassed and sued over his accurate reporting on the Covid vax. I admire the guy. He just spoke at Turning Point on marijuana. I' e never been a marijuana user, but he makes points that, I think, should be listened to.
Correct. 95% comes in from China via. Mexico. I give Trump credit for shutting down the southern border. But saying anything on the high-speed party barges in the Caribbean other than cocaine doesn't know what they are talking about.
Many people believe fighting the drug trade is just a ruse. The real purpose of all this is Venezuelan oil. Trump want to oust Maduro and set up a puppet government so we can get their oil.
The people of Venezuela have so much oil yet they are all living in Poverty under Maduro.
We don't need their oil. We have plenty of it,but like Venezuela our governments are restricting the access and usage of it under the giuse of the green energy scam.
Despite the word games/labeling misnomers, narco terrorists or narco traffickers are NOT legitimate military targets. They are law enforcement targets. It demeans our military might and appears petty. Our military stance should be directed to our REAL enemies on the global stage. It seems to be overlooked by this author that the demand for cocaine is coming from the USA.
Thomas, many US citizens - regardless of political affiliation - will never be onboard with these (murderous) extrajudicial actions being taken.
I am no softie, but contend it’s awfully convenient when there is no way possible to ascertain how many innocents are getting blown to pieces. No survivors = clean conscience?
Talk about guilt aka death by association. Are there better methodologies to solve the (eternal?) drug problem in our nation? I don’t have the answers, but IMO this way won’t work.
Is the military action illegal? If so please cite...not opinion or emotion...but chapter and verse. Please do not reference some squishy leftist from the EU who takes offense at America...or Europe...defending itself.
You...and others...appear to suggest American military intelligence is not or has not exercised due diligence ascertaining the boats they are attacking. I have not seen any substance to those charges however I support questioning any and everything. Please offer up reasonable and verifiable information in that regard.
It is extremely difficult to believe the effort to discredit these proactive attacks on drug running boats is anything but political in nature. And as we have all seen, Trump's political opponents have zero boundaries regarding what they would say or do to discredit him or his administration...not legal, not moral, not ethical.
Targeted, proportional. Proportional to what? The US Navy versus small time criminal/fisherman in outboard motor boats does fentanyl even come from Venezuela? Now a submersible, that would be a different thing. That might be proportional and effective.
Those Small smuggling,Panga, boats have washed up on our coasts many times. You want them to come in on a yacht? The way to avoid detection from Coast Guards is to use those boats.
Go back a few years and you'll several several weeks caught in the SB area.
I don’t feel any need to provide you with citations regarding my opinions. I read all sides including the Bible.
Whether these actions are extrajudicial murder or legal action is a legitimate debate that I wish we weren’t having.
I apparently don’t harbor your level of trust for the competency / integrity of government institutions. So you’re confident that no innocents have been blown to smithereens? Would you care anyway? Too squishy?
We do not execute people in the USA caught dealing drugs.
I don’t exactly get the connection how blowing up these boats is defending our country, but I’m pretty sure it’s making plenty of enemies.
I stepped back and looked at the last five years and asked myself why did Biden, the Democrats, and the Left not go all out to prevent drugs from entering the U.S. ? The only answer I came up with was to do so would have required closing and controlling the border, which they could not do. Berney
Great article, and its complicated and we the general public are not aware of the full story and all the actions that have been taken diplomatically or other to stem the flow. Imagine trying to negotiate a deal with a drug lord/cartel?
I am for any governmental action against an economy that relies on the sale of drugs at the detriment of others for their own selfish greed and power. A quick Google search said that there were 23000+ deaths in 2023 due to cocaine overdose. So IDC if it is fentanyl, cocaine or or other, these countries and their drug lords are exploiting and praying on citizens of the US and it has to stop.
Just ask any family who has had a member die from an overdose of coke or fentanyl.
Ask our economist what the cost of emergency care, ask our medical professionals what the resources are, list goes on.
This quote from Mr. Cole is telling a variety of levels... "This disparity is not accidental. It reflects a deeper institutional and media bias that views executive action through a sharply partisan lens: restrained when exercised by Democrats, reckless when exercised by Republicans."""
Did anyone read about the death of Mr. and Mrs. Reiner?
As a Health Instructor at a City College, I encountered more than one opposition I had and still have with drug use (its just like a beer). It is only a small item and I can handle it was the common statement from students. Does anyone get it that the Banditos don't care about this nation or the health of its citizens?
Another quote from Mr. Cole ... "The broad and illegal importation of fentanyl is a clear and present danger, exacerbated by weak borders and foreign-based cartels. """"
Who in the heck thinks these guys are? Part of the Church saving the souls of everyone?
There was a serious drug problem in the army during Vietnam. It was the Hippy Dippy days where tune in, turn on, drop out was before the sad and dramatic impacts of today's drug culture. It cost lives.
I have multiple friends who have lost their kids to Fentanyl. And this is just the latest and deadliness of the create a drug culture.
It is war upon not only this country, but every country that says they want a clean and healthy population. Wage war on us and this is what you get. Look to our neighbor to the south. Mexico is in the grip of drug lords where the President walks a very fine line.
Think our neighbors to the north called Canada are pristine? Not close.
These jerks are terrorists waging war for money and profit without any regard for the health and safety of this nation.
Great article, cuts to the chase.
Approximately 0% of the fentanyl entering the United States originates in Venezuela, according to multiple official U.S. government reports, law enforcement assessments, and independent analyses as of 2025.
The primary source of illicit fentanyl affecting the U.S. is Mexico, where transnational criminal organizations (such as the Sinaloa and Jalisco New Generation cartels) synthesize the drug using precursor chemicals mainly sourced from China (and increasingly India). This is consistently stated in:
The U.S. State Department's 2025 International Narcotics Control Strategy Report, which identifies Mexico as "the only significant source of illicit fentanyl and fentanyl analogues significantly affecting the United States" in 2024.
The DEA's 2025 National Drug Threat Assessment, which attributes production predominantly to Mexican cartels and does not mention Venezuela as a source or transit point for fentanyl.
SO WHAT DOES VENEZUELA HAVE? The largest oil deposits IN THE WORLD. Sorry but this move on the little boats is the lead up to just another in the long string of American regime-change wars.
We have plenty of oil yet Newsome is blocking the drilling for one and our wonderful SB Supervisors.
Alaska is rich in Oil.
Maduro is a dictator and his people are living in poverty
I understand the desire to stop the flow of drugs into the country, but drug enforcement in international waters is a law enforcement action. It’s backed by international maritime law, including UNCLOS, UN resolutions, and the U.S. MDLEA. Conservatives condemn Democrats for lawlessness all the time, yet now they selectively abandon the law when it becomes inconvenient or politically satisfying? If America wants AUMF expanded to narcotics trafficking, then Congress should legislate that, and the State Dept should then work on the diplomacy with our allies.
We’re in murky waters, using the post-9/11 AUMF, a terrorism authority, to stretch it to drug traffickers. There’s no fentanyl that comes from Venezuela, and most of these drugs do not reach U.S. shores. The cost-benefit of violating the law isn’t there. This is opening a can of worms worldwide in international waters and could prevent our allies from working with us on interdiction, where we stop things other than drugs, like weapons, contraband, and terrorism funds. I’d rather be on the right side of the law.
We should intercept these vessels, stop them at sea, seize their cargo, and when they violently resist interdiction, use deadly force. Most smugglers give up when confronted. They are not combatants.
The people on boats are not cartel leaders, decision makers, trying to “war” on America. They are literally forced labor, driving a boat from point A to point B, and many teenagers are trafficked into service.
And there’s a moral inconsistency here that deserves scrutiny. Some who would support an absolute abortion ban for a 14-year-old Venezuelan girl raped by cartel members seem perfectly comfortable with indiscriminately dropping a bomb on that same baby when trafficked as a 14-year-old. It's hard for me to reconcile that.
Stopping drug traffickers is necessary. Abandoning legal and moral coherence to do so is not a strength; it’s hypocrisy. I hold myself to a higher standard as an American, and I’m confident I’ve spent more hours doing this type of work, with my butt on the line, than most here.
My best friend from growing up, who was 18 years old, died from a drug overdose, and my dad years later, in the exact same neighborhood. That still doesn't justify violating my integrity as an American.
Nothing is more morally bankrupt than abortion. Nothing more innocent than an unborn baby. Your support of "abortion rights" leaves no room to opine on the morality of killing drug traffickers.
Commander Smith, just curious as to your stance on the outrageous comments made by Senator Mark Kelly? Did Kelly incite mutiny of US service members, in violation of the UCMJ? What of the other “Seditious Six,” do you denounce their conduct?
How can our military act decisively with conflicting statements being made by civilian officials?
Out of line. I actually drafted an OPED for the SB Current on this topic, but I never submitted it as the topic went lower priority. I should send it in. The US Military does not need politicians to tell them to follow lawful orders. The system is already set up for that to happen. Enlisted and Officers take two different oaths for a good reason. The system regulates itself. It's not the military's duty or responsibility to check the President's use of the AUMF. It's Congress. Every President has designated terrorists under AUMF. There's way too much focus on Trump and everything he does, and it's somehow novel. He does publicize it in a way other Presidents didn't, so maybe the American public likes government secrecy they don't know about and not transparency. But I've spent many hours staring at screens, dropping bombs on suspected terrorist meetings under Obama...
Mark Kelly politicizing the military on a social media video is entirely out of line. Now I would have preferred a more presidential response to the video...
The people doing their job in the military don't listen to political BS. They know their duty. I never once posted anything political in uniform, or changed what I was doing based on some congressman's nonsense...
Here's another military insider secret: most pilots don't lead people until higher ranks. You saw Top Gun? How many men and women was Tom Cruise leading in the first movie? Mark Kelly went through the astronaut program before he held any rank as a pilot who would be taking high-level command orders and filtering them to the men and women as lawful combat orders. He's not the best authority on the subject just because he held the rank of Navy Captain. I would consult a Navy Captain who had major command in the operational forces. Not a member of a space shuttle crew...
Deadmen tell no tales, or so it would seem. Proportionality? If a foreign government was smuggling material needed for a nuclear dirty bomb or a bio weapon such as Anthrax, would the US use lethal force then? Of course we would! Why is Fentanyl any different, as it also causes massive casualties.
The drug cartels have been deemed a “Foreign Terrorist Organization” (FTO), therefore, the legal predicate is in place to use lethal force whenever necessary. Let the drone wars begin, the time is approaching whereby cartel leaders will be taken out surgically in Mexico, Columbia, Bolivia or wherever, if those governments involved can’t or won’t stop the drug traffic.
The sad reality is most of those countries in Latin America are failed states, propped up by the drug trade and in many cases, aligned with China and Iran.
“Blackjack” Pershing was mentioned earlier in his attempt to capture Pancho Villa in response to his murderous rampage in Columbus, New Mexico which resulted in dozens of American civilians being killed. Although, Pershing was unsuccessful, why is today any different under the Trump corollary to the Monroe Doctrine?
Let’s not forget, President Obama ordered the death by drone, multiple US citizens in Yemen. The reaction from the media?
Crickets from the left.
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-21333570#:~:text=The%20legal%20basis%20for%20using,drones%20outside%20recognised%20war%20zones.
Great Article. Thank you for providing these details.
Narco Terrorists have no sympathy for the people that the drugs they smuggle will kill.
I understand that Fentanyl ,in large doses,if you even get close to it can kill you.
People don't remember the Halloween under Biden where they were warning parents to be careful as drugs looking like candy Fentanyl were being given to children.
Fentanyl is a lethal drug and can be hidden easily in other substances.
Those trafficking these substances know it will kill many people,hence why they are killed Narco Terrorists.
Their weapons are drugs.
Thomas, nice summary of the actions taken by a few previous presidents. Going back a bit further Kennedy-LBJ's Vietnam is another example of war type actions not approved by congress.
Let's not forget Black Jack Pershing's 1916 expedition into Mexico to deal with Pancho Villa. Or Pershing's 1892 mission to round up and deport a large number of Cree Indians to Canada. Perhaps today's military could be use to round up and deport fentanyl dealers to Venezuela.
I suspect in the near future Venezuela will return to the beautiful prosperous country it was before the Communists/Socialists took over. They will not accept or tolerate fentanyl dealers. New York City perhaps?
I hope so.
Thomas, I'm in complete agreement with Trump's war on drug trafficking. He's facing a problem that's been compromised by the legalization of pot. This week, people on the right and left are criticizing him about softening towards pot. I don't agree with these people, but it is worth reading the most intelligent of them, like Alex Berenson https://alexberenson.substack.com/p/america-and-americans-must-stand
And when it came to Republican presidents of the past, Bush was said by reputable people I know who were in Central America at that time, to be profiting from the cocaine trade. One friend of mine asked a NYT reporter why he wasn't covering what apparently was obvious if you were there. My friend said the reporter shrugged “What do you want from me? I'm just a reporter.”
As it has been stated many times regarding Marijuana,it's not legalizing it. It's changing it's classification From 3-1. Allowing for the drug to be researched for Medical treatments and those growing can receive Federal subsidies.
Marijuana is currently used for Medical issues,as post Chemo and for pain issues. That's nothing new. A Doctor could prescribe Marijuana for treatments for many years. Medicinal Marijuana.
I agree with you, but Berenson is a really good reporter and ethical journalist (yes, there are a few). He was harassed and sued over his accurate reporting on the Covid vax. I admire the guy. He just spoke at Turning Point on marijuana. I' e never been a marijuana user, but he makes points that, I think, should be listened to.
fentanyl doesn't come from Venezuela
Correct. 95% comes in from China via. Mexico. I give Trump credit for shutting down the southern border. But saying anything on the high-speed party barges in the Caribbean other than cocaine doesn't know what they are talking about.
It is a main trafficking hub for drugs.
Where does it come from then???
Tell Trump and Pete.
Many people believe fighting the drug trade is just a ruse. The real purpose of all this is Venezuelan oil. Trump want to oust Maduro and set up a puppet government so we can get their oil.
The people of Venezuela have so much oil yet they are all living in Poverty under Maduro.
We don't need their oil. We have plenty of it,but like Venezuela our governments are restricting the access and usage of it under the giuse of the green energy scam.
Despite the word games/labeling misnomers, narco terrorists or narco traffickers are NOT legitimate military targets. They are law enforcement targets. It demeans our military might and appears petty. Our military stance should be directed to our REAL enemies on the global stage. It seems to be overlooked by this author that the demand for cocaine is coming from the USA.
Thomas, many US citizens - regardless of political affiliation - will never be onboard with these (murderous) extrajudicial actions being taken.
I am no softie, but contend it’s awfully convenient when there is no way possible to ascertain how many innocents are getting blown to pieces. No survivors = clean conscience?
Talk about guilt aka death by association. Are there better methodologies to solve the (eternal?) drug problem in our nation? I don’t have the answers, but IMO this way won’t work.
Oil and fentanyl seem to mix.
AI, you’re wrong. You are a softie
Put em up tough guy.
Is the military action illegal? If so please cite...not opinion or emotion...but chapter and verse. Please do not reference some squishy leftist from the EU who takes offense at America...or Europe...defending itself.
You...and others...appear to suggest American military intelligence is not or has not exercised due diligence ascertaining the boats they are attacking. I have not seen any substance to those charges however I support questioning any and everything. Please offer up reasonable and verifiable information in that regard.
It is extremely difficult to believe the effort to discredit these proactive attacks on drug running boats is anything but political in nature. And as we have all seen, Trump's political opponents have zero boundaries regarding what they would say or do to discredit him or his administration...not legal, not moral, not ethical.
Targeted, proportional. Proportional to what? The US Navy versus small time criminal/fisherman in outboard motor boats does fentanyl even come from Venezuela? Now a submersible, that would be a different thing. That might be proportional and effective.
Those Small smuggling,Panga, boats have washed up on our coasts many times. You want them to come in on a yacht? The way to avoid detection from Coast Guards is to use those boats.
Go back a few years and you'll several several weeks caught in the SB area.
Huh?
I don’t feel any need to provide you with citations regarding my opinions. I read all sides including the Bible.
Whether these actions are extrajudicial murder or legal action is a legitimate debate that I wish we weren’t having.
I apparently don’t harbor your level of trust for the competency / integrity of government institutions. So you’re confident that no innocents have been blown to smithereens? Would you care anyway? Too squishy?
We do not execute people in the USA caught dealing drugs.
I don’t exactly get the connection how blowing up these boats is defending our country, but I’m pretty sure it’s making plenty of enemies.
I stepped back and looked at the last five years and asked myself why did Biden, the Democrats, and the Left not go all out to prevent drugs from entering the U.S. ? The only answer I came up with was to do so would have required closing and controlling the border, which they could not do. Berney