Ray Powell / Philstar
The fight against drug trafficking in Venezuela: what is the legal basis? Were survivors helped? North American commander surprises and leaves.
The US army surprisingly attacked, a ship in the Caribbean Sea, opened off the coast of Venezuela.
It was another movement to combat the drug trafficking in Venezuela but this, unlike what happened in the other attacks, was not announced by Donald Trump, president of the USA.
It was a US official who told – and also revealed that, for the first time, there is survivors. In the other attacks, 27 citizens of Venezuela, Colombia and Trinidad and Tobago died; no one survived in the other situations.
Doubts and criticisms accumulate. As highlighted by , the White House continues to not share the legal basis for these offensive actions. There are legal experts and Democratic politicians who question the legality of these operations.
The Government led by Trump argues that the US is at war with Venezuelan narco-terrorist groups and declared the actions legitimate, but still did not present evidence — nIt did not show that the affected ships were actually transporting drugs.
This surprise attack in the Caribbean leaves another question: How were the survivors treated? Were they rescued by the US army? Are they in custody?
The Pentagon did not clarify when questioned by Reuters.
Early departure
In addition to the attack, there was another surprise this Thursday: Alvin Holsey will leave to command Defense operations in the southern USA.
Halsey is the commander who has been supervise attacks against alleged drug boats in Venezuela. He would only retire at the end of 2027 but US Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth, announced his unexpected departure.
A appears new question: Why have several high-level military and intelligence officials left since Donald Trump returned to the White House in January this year?
Charles “CQ” Brown, Timothy Haugh, Jeffrey Kruse and David Allvin are the most popular names.
