The president's attacks, supposedly targeting drug cartels, serve a troubling political agenda.
On September 2, the US military sank a boat in the southern Caribbean, killing 11 people. Two more boats were hit on September 15 and 19, killing six more. Another craft was attacked off Venezuela's coast in early October, resulting in four fatalities.
Trump notified Congress that the US is in an "armed conflict" with drug cartels in the region. The murders were premeditated, following an executive order designating Latin American drug cartels as terrorist organizations.
The president's unprecedented and lawless attacks supposedly target drug cartels, but serve a far more troubling political agenda.
Author's summary: Trump's attacks on drug cartels in the Caribbean raise concerns.