The Trump administration strategy of bombing boats in international waters is widely regarded as illegal under the U.S. Constitution, under international law, the United Nations Charter, the UN High Seas Treaty, and the general standards of criminal justice and law enforcement. Persons suspected of crimes shall not be summarily executed, even within the border of a sovereign nation, much less within other nations or in international waters.
The military has not generally provided evidence supporting their intelligence for the approximately 60 incidents of attack upon suspected drug boats or drug operations. In several cases, reports have indicated that the victims were fishermen or laborers from Trinidad, Columbia, or Venezuela who had no connection to the drug trade. Observers of drug trafficking interdiction point out that suspected transporters of illegal drugs are typically apprehended, evidence seized, and accused traffickers interrogated for the purpose of gaining intelligence on the larger dealers and operators of trafficking organizations. This illegal and immoral strategy of execution nullifies the legal opportunity for further investigation and intelligence.
Most controversial was the double strike on September 2, 2025, that killed at least two survivors of the first strike of a boat in the Caribbean. "With respect to the strikes in question on September 2, Secretary Hegseth authorized Adm. Bradley to conduct these kinetic strikes" ... "Adm. Bradley worked well within his authority and the law directing this engagement to ensure the boat was destroyed and the threat to the United States of America was eliminated." This language is typical of the Trump administration in making bold claims in an attempt to sway public opinion in clear contradiction of the facts of the law. It should be pointed out that this "threat to the United States of America" occurred approximately 1,000 miles from any part of the U.S. and was not part of a military conflict.
Admiral Alvin Holsey, commander of military operations in the Caribbean, stepped down from his post after less than one year, approximately six weeks after the beginning of this operation and on the same day as the execution of the two survivors floating in the Caribbean. Holsey's career had exceed 37 years.
In March, hearings began before the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, questioning the legality of these operations according to domestic and international law. We can expect to see additional legal challenges and litigation for civil damages as various authorities work to hold the administration accountable for these egregious violations of human rights.