Demand Congressional Oversight Of Caribbean Strike That Killed Eleven Suspects

Call Out Unlawful Killings At Sea I urge you to speak out against the recent U.S. military strike in the southern Caribbean that killed eleven people aboard an alleged drug-smuggling vessel from Venezuela. This must not be treated as routine counter-narcotics enforcement. It raises grave legal and strategic concerns about how the United States uses force at sea. Demand A Clear Legal Foundation The administration has not provided a valid legal basis. Neither the 2001 Authorization for Use of Military Force - tied to groups from 9/11 - nor the Maritime Drug Law Enforcement Act authorize destroying vessels. MDLEA envisions boarding and arrest in international waters, not execution without trial. That model remains central to Coast Guard practice. Reaffirm International Maritime Obligations Outside armed conflict, lethal force is lawful only to meet an imminent threat when capture is impossible. Drug trafficking is a law-enforcement matter, not an armed-conflict target. By sinking a vessel instead of boarding, the United States appears to breach necessity and proportionality and weaken the maritime order it has long supported. Protect Service Members And Strategic Interests Our sailors and Coast Guardsmen should not face legal jeopardy abroad or erosion of professional rules of engagement. Normalizing lethal counter-drug strikes will alienate partners, risk escalation with Venezuela, and erode U.S. credibility. The administration’s plan to expand this approach makes oversight urgent. Take Immediate Congressional Action I urge you to exercise oversight. Congress must reclaim its constitutional role and affirm adherence to law. Specifically, I urge you to: • Condemn the strike as inconsistent with U.S. and international law • Demand release of the legal opinions and rules of engagement that authorized it • Hold hearings with DoD, DOJ, State, and the Coast Guard to clarify accountability and direction • Require War Powers reporting and classified briefings on future operations • Reaffirm that counter-narcotics work must rely on interdiction, arrest, prosecution, and evidence collection, not extrajudicial killing The choice before Congress will determine whether the United States is seen as governed by law or willing to abandon it for convenience. The standard you set now will shape the balance between security and legality for years to come.