Retired Admiral on US Strikes in Caribbean & Venezuela's Political Crisis

US Strikes and Rules of Engagement

• 🎯 Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth defended controversial strikes against alleged drug-carrying boats in the Caribbean.
• ⚖️ Retired Rear Admiral Mark Montgomery stated that while rules of engagement can be set by the President, they must adhere to the law of war and Department of Defense guidance, which are anchored in the Geneva Convention.
• ⚠️ Montgomery expressed concern over initial denials and subsequent acknowledgments of the strikes, suggesting an effort to shift accountability away from the Secretary of Defense.
• 🔍 He emphasized that congressional oversight should focus on Secretary Hegseth's guidance and actions as the primary point of investigation.

Legal Guidance and Military Lawyers

• 🏛️ Montgomery noted that the Judge Advocate General's (JAG) office, the military's lawyers, have seen significant senior-level replacements by Secretary Hegseth.
• ❓ He suggested that Admiral Bradley, when testifying, should clarify the legal guidance he received and any clarifications sought.
• 🧐 Montgomery believes Secretary Hegseth might be elusive when questioned by Congress regarding the legal basis for the strikes.

Venezuela's Political Situation and Fentanyl Crisis

• 💊 The justification for strikes is linked to the fentanyl crisis, with hundreds of thousands of American deaths attributed to the drug.
• 🇨🇳 However, Montgomery pointed out that China supplies precursor agents and Mexico's cartels distribute fentanyl, making Venezuela a secondary or tertiary player in this context.
• 🗳️ He described Venezuelan President Maduro as illegitimate, having lost the 2024 election and using the military to retain power, likely being part of a narco cartel.
• 🌍 A concern regarding potential regime change in Venezuela is the unpredictable outcome, which could lead to a populist revolt, internal displacement, and violence, rather than a guaranteed return to legitimately elected leaders.