US Official Grilled on Boat Strikes: Counter-Narcotics or Regime Destabilization?

Purpose of Boat Strikes

• 🎯 Representative Jacobs questioned U.S. Department of State Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary Katherine Dueholm regarding the stated goal of boat strikes in the Caribbean.
• 💡 The official initially confirmed the goal as counter-narcotics and disrupting cartel business models, aligning with presidential statements.

Contradictory Program Cuts

• 📉 Jacobs highlighted the contradiction of cutting effective counter-narcotics programs, such as those offering legal alternatives to coca farming, while simultaneously pursuing this goal.
• 💰 The administration's FY26 budget request also proposed a 90% cut to counter-narcotics programs, raising further questions.
• 🇺🇸 Dueholm stated that a thorough review led to a refocusing of foreign assistance on programs that best meet U.S. strategic needs and national security.

Venezuela and Regime Destabilization

• 🇻🇪 When asked if destabilizing the Maduro regime was an objective, Dueholm deferred to presidential remarks and stated Venezuela is a source of narcotics, with Maduro heading 'cartel de los soles'.
• 📰 Jacobs referenced a Vanity Fair article suggesting Trump's desire to pressure Maduro, questioning the transparency of using taxpayer funds for potential extrajudicial killings.

Intelligence Sharing Concerns

• 🇬🇧 Mr. Lambert addressed concerns about the UK suspending intelligence sharing due to worries about Caribbean operations.
• 🇨🇴 He stated there's no indication Colombia will follow suit and that intelligence sharing, while important, is not the sole source of information, emphasizing ongoing close collaboration with Colombian security forces.
• ⚠️ Lambert acknowledged that while some programs were declared failing, waivers allowed continued work, and information flow is expected to continue.