U.S. Military Strikes Drug Vessel from Venezuela, Killing 11
Questioning the “drug vessel” narrative
- Several comments doubt official claims about the boat being a cartel vessel tied to Tren de Aragua or Cartel de los Soles, citing past exaggerations and lack of disclosed evidence.
- Former ambassador quotes (from the article) are highlighted: typical practice was to interdict and board; boats generally surrendered, and some turned out not to be cartel boats.
- Some see the dramatic, scored strike video as propaganda or “snuff” content and possibly a distraction from other news.
Ethics, legality, and proportionality
- One side argues non-state armed groups at sea can be treated as military targets under the law of war; domestic criminal penalties and due process standards do not apply in international waters.
- Others stress proportionality, due process, and the danger of an administration that won’t provide evidence that targets are combatants, calling this “kill first, ask questions later.”
- There is strong concern about normalization of extrajudicial killing and the precedent it sets for future actions, including inside the U.S.; others counter that there’s a long-standing legal “bright line” between foreign operations and domestic use of force.
Strategic value vs. War on Drugs 2.0
- Supporters: cartels are quasi-state actors undermining sovereignty, sometimes controlling large territories and functioning as parallel governments; military action is framed as necessary and even “humane” compared to what gangs do locally.
- Critics: historical “war on drugs” tactics, including special operations, haven’t reduced supply; drug prices and availability show the market’s resilience. Sinking one boat is seen as symbolic, not impactful.
- Alternatives suggested: legalization/regulation, addressing U.S. demand and social conditions, targeted labor and immigration reforms, and stronger employer sanctions.
Risk of escalation and blowback
- Some fear increased risk to Americans in Latin America and more anti-U.S. sentiment in the region; others think only regime change (e.g., removing Maduro) could produce a positive outcome.
- One commenter likens expanding the definition of “military targets” to a slippery slope toward domestic military use against gangs.
Coast Guard vs. missiles
- Multiple comments ask why the U.S. didn’t follow the prior practice: intercept, board, and arrest via Coast Guard, which is described as both effective and lower-risk.
- Debate over whether the strike improves deterrence, versus being expensive, morally degrading, and operationally equivalent to playing whack-a-mole.
Meta and politics
- Some see this as part of a broader erosion of international law and U.S. norms over the past decades.
- Others focus on HN moderation and flagging patterns, viewing which political stories stay visible as itself politicized.