US Military Strikes Alleged Drug Boats in Caribbean, Threatens 'Terrorist' Groups

Seventh US Military Strike in Caribbean

• 🎯 Three individuals were killed in the latest US military strike on an alleged drug-carrying boat in the Caribbean.
• ⚠️ This marks the seventh such strike in the region over the past month and a half, bringing the total number of fatalities to at least 32.

Link to Colombian Guerrilla Group

• 🔗 The vessel was reportedly linked to the National Liberation Army (ELN), a guerrilla group operating out of Colombia and Venezuela.
• ⚖️ The Secretary of Defense has equated groups like the ELN to Al Qaeda, vowing to hunt and kill them.

Congressional Authorization and Civilian Casualties

• 📜 Unlike the post-9/11 authorization for military force against Al Qaeda, Congress has not authorized striking cartels.
• 🎣 A previous strike in September mistakenly killed a fisherman, not an alleged drug smuggler, according to the Colombian president.
• 📉 This incident led President Trump to vow tariffs and cut aid to Colombia, increasing regional tensions.

Survivors Repatriated

• ✈️ Two survivors from a prior strike on Thursday were repatriated to their home countries of Colombia and Ecuador.
• 🌐 The strikes appear to be part of a pressure campaign on Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, but are targeting a broader range of groups than initially suggested.