A timeline of US attacks off South America and what Congress has had to say

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WASHINGTON (AP) — In less than two months, President Donald Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth say, the U.S. military has killed at least 61 people in 14 strikes against drug-smuggling vessels in the Caribbean Sea and eastern Pacific Ocean.​

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Oct. 29​

Sen. Mark Warner, the ranking Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee, says the Trump administration has briefed Republicans – but not Democrats – on the boat strikes.


The military briefing at the Capitol comes as the Senate is facing a potential vote on a war powers resolution that would prohibit strikes in or near Venezuela, unless Congress approves the military action.

apnews.com

A timeline of US attacks off South America and what Congress has had to say

In less than two months, President Donald Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth say, the U.S. military has killed at least 61 people in strikes against drug-smuggling vessels off the South American coast.
apnews.com apnews.com
 
The President of the United States (POTUS) is not legally required to obtain Congressional approval to suppress drug smuggling in international waters. Here's why, with key legal substantiation:

1. Presidential Authority as Commander in Chief
  • Article II, Section 2 of the U.S. Constitution designates the President as Commander in Chief of the armed forces, granting broad authority to direct military and naval operations, including in international waters.
  • The Supreme Court has consistently upheld expansive executive power in foreign affairs and national security, even without prior congressional authorization (e.g., United States v. Curtiss-Wright Export Corp., 299 U.S. 304 (1936); Youngstown Sheet & Tube Co. v. Sawyer, 343 U.S. 579 (1952)).
2. Statutory Authority: Maritime Drug Law Enforcement Act (MDLEA)
  • 46 U.S.C. §§ 70501–70508 explicitly authorizes the U.S. Coast Guard (under DHS) and Navy (under DoD) to interdict drug-smuggling vessels on the high seas (international waters) without congressional case-by-case approval.
  • The MDLEA applies to:
    • Stateless vessels.
    • Vessels registered in foreign nations that consent to U.S. jurisdiction (via bilateral agreements).
    • Vessels in U.S. customs waters or within 12 nautical miles of the coast.
  • It grants jurisdiction over drug trafficking regardless of nationality or location if the drugs are destined for the U.S.
3. Operational Practice: Standing Executive Orders & DoD Directives
  • Executive Order 12333 and DoD Directive 5525.1 authorize the military to support drug interdiction in international waters under the Coast Guard’s lead (POSSE COMITATUS does not apply outside U.S. territory).
  • Operations like JIATF-South (Joint Interagency Task Force South) operate under presidential directive, not annual congressional votes.
4. Congressional Oversight (Not Approval)
  • Congress funds these operations via the NDAA and DHS appropriations, but does not require pre-approval for individual interdictions.
  • The War Powers Resolution (50 U.S.C. §§ 1541–1548) applies only to "hostilities" or "imminent involvement" in combat—not law enforcement actions like drug interdiction.
5. Historical Precedent
  • Presidents from Reagan to Biden have ordered naval interdictions in international waters (e.g., Operation Martillo, Caribbean Corridor Strike Force) without seeking congressional approval.
  • No court has ever struck down such operations for lack of authorization.
 
The weird part is that two survivors were released, because the trump clown car had no evidence against them. So trump claims he has so much evidence against them, that he can kill them without a trial, but when caught has no evidence...

Weirder yet, they recently killed several people off the Pacific Coast of Venezuela... The weird part about that is Venezuela does not have a Pacific Coast.
 
Walt said:
Interesting enough trump is specifically trying to avoid interdictions.
Click to expand...

Is that so, Salty Walty?

Interdiction is the action of intercepting and preventing the movement of a prohibited commodity or person.

Walt said:
he is demanding strikes without warning.
Click to expand...

President Trump publicly warned drug cartels before authorizing the Department of War to destroy suspected drug smuggling craft., Salty Walty.

POTUS Trump's early 2025 executive order designating groups like Tren de Aragua and Sinaloa as terrorist entities, enabling lethal force under Article II powers has been public for months, Salty Walty.

Another public warning came during his speech at the United Nations General Assembly in late September 2025, where he directly addressed "terrorist thugs smuggling poisonous drugs into the United States of America" and stated, "please be warned that we will blow you out of existence", Salty Walty.

How come you didn't know all this, Salty Walty? You obviously have internet access.

Have you ever considered using the internet to verify a statement before you post it, Salty Walty?
 
Diogenes said:
Is that so, Salty Walty?

Interdiction is the action of intercepting and preventing the movement of a prohibited commodity or person.



President Trump publicly warned drug cartels before authorizing the Department of War to destroy suspected drug smuggling craft., Salty Walty.

POTUS Trump's early 2025 executive order designating groups like Tren de Aragua and Sinaloa as terrorist entities, enabling lethal force under Article II powers has been public for months, Salty Walty.

Another public warning came during his speech at the United Nations General Assembly in late September 2025, where he directly addressed "terrorist thugs smuggling poisonous drugs into the United States of America" and stated, "please be warned that we will blow you out of existence", Salty Walty.

How come you didn't know all this, Salty Walty? You obviously have internet access.

Have you ever considered using the internet to verify a statement before you post it, Salty Walty?
Click to expand...
Wow, this sound like horrible terrorists. And trump released two of them? If you are correct, that would be terrible of trump.
 
Walt said:
It is amazing how quickly you forget:
Click to expand...


I didn't make any claim, Salty Walty. I posted easily verifiable and publicly-available information without expressing any opinions, Salty Walty.

I also posted nothing about any "release" by "Trump", Salty Walty.

Have you ever been diagnosed with an impairment of cognizant abilities, Salty Walty?
 
Diogenes said:
I didn't make any claim, Salty Walty. I posted easily verifiable and publicly-available information without expressing any opinions, Salty Walty.

I also posted nothing about any "release" by "Trump", Salty Walty.

Have you ever been diagnosed with an impairment of cognizant abilities, Salty Walty?
Click to expand...
So trump says they are horrible terrorists, and then releases two of them immediately?
 
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