Covert Battle Plays Out On Open Water As Drug Boats Outpace Traditional Patrols

In a pivotal moment, just prior to a targeted U.S. military strike on an alleged drug vessel, President Donald Trump, on the first day of his second term, enacted over twenty executive orders, notably designating eight Latin American cartels as foreign terrorist organizations. This classification is contentious, as cartels traditionally function solely for profit, unlike terrorist organizations which employ violence for political motives. Fred Kahn from FinCrime Central observes that the intertwining affiliations between cartels and terrorist entities like Hezbollah and ISIS have escalated their operational capabilities, prompting an adaptation of counterterrorism strategies.Conversely, Rachel Levinson-Waldman of the Brennan Center cautions against this designation, arguing that it may provoke unnecessary militarization and improperly affect individuals uninvolved with drug trafficking. The legality of military actions against alleged drug vessels remains under scrutiny, especially following Admiral Alvin Holsey’s resignation over concerns regarding the strikes' legitimacy. Critics question the legality of these actions, suggesting Trump’s directive may have crossed ethical boundaries in addressing drug-related violence.