Strike on Drug Cartel Sparks Controversy
Paul Rickhoff, who founded America’s independent veterans, criticized President Donald Trump on Thursday for a recent airstrike targeting drug trafficking terrorists in the Caribbean.
This American operation resulted in the sinking of a vessel linked to Venezuela’s Tren de Aragua cartel, with reports confirming that 11 individuals were killed in the attack. Trump made this announcement on Tuesday, and Rickhoff expressed concern over MSNBC’s Katy Tur reporting the strike as a misuse of military force.
Rickhoff remarked, “It’s remarkable, unprecedented, and frankly dangerous. This is another example of how Trump is expanding his military power and possibly abusing it. I think it’s one of the most significant and underreported stories out there right now. He keeps pushing boundaries.”
He added, “Not only did they kill 11 people, but this also put US troops at risk. I mean, they could have been harmed. And there’s absolutely no accountability or transparency. There’s an old saying: ‘First, send the country to war, then the troops.’ We keep sending the country first, without considering the implications.”
The US Southern Command conducted the strike in international waters, deploying three Aegis-class missile boats along with other resources to disrupt the drug routes utilized by the Latin American cartel.
Trump stated, “The US military did not harm the strike. This should serve as a warning to anyone thinking about trafficking drugs into the United States. Please be careful! I appreciate everyone paying attention to this issue.”
Back in August, Trump designated various Latin American cartels as terrorist organizations and subsequently permitted military actions against them. US military forces have also been positioned off the coast of Venezuela, preparing for possible engagements, meanwhile deploying ships and drones from the region.
Interestingly, even a former Democratic National Committee (DNC) spokesperson, Jose Aristimuno, praised Trump’s efforts against Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro on Thursday. He said, “We know that drug use is tied to crime, and I take great pride in what the president is doing to combat this, especially regarding the drug cartel led by Maduro.”
