The New Pirates of the Caribbean.
UN human rights experts have condemned recent U.S. military strikes on Venezuelan vessels, calling them “extrajudicial executions” and a violation of international law.
Forces deployed for what Washington called an anti-drug operation have blown up at least two Venezuelan boats and a combined 14 likely fishermen allegedly transporting drugs across the Caribbean this month -- a move slammed as "extrajudicial execution" by UN experts.
Trump labeled the targets “narcoterrorists” and claimed they posed a threat to U.S. national security, foreign policy, and “vital interests.” The strikes are part of a broader U.S. naval buildup in the Caribbean, which the Trump administration frames as counter-narcotics operations. But critics—including Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro—see it as regime-change posturing, and it’s hard to disagree.
These ongoing deadly raids in international waters have nothing to do with “narcoterrorism” or fentanyl. That’s just the weaponized language used to justify illegal military action, sidestep due process, and potentially provoke regime change.
But suppose those boats were truly suspected of trafficking. Why wouldn’t the Navy or Coast Guard use drones or other surveillance to track them, interdict them at port, and arrest the crew and the U.S. buyers—especially if the goal is dismantling networks rather than eliminating individuals?
Answer: It isn’t about that.
* * *
Trump & Vance bluster
Trump: "We're seeing that there are no ships in the ocean anymore ... no, there are no boats."
AI: Actually, international waters, including the Caribbean, are teeming with ships and boats of every kind: cargo vessels, tankers, fishing fleets, cruise liners, naval warships, and countless recreational boats. Global maritime traffic is actually increasing, not disappearing. But so is the danger from Trump’s pirates, who’ve declared themselves the cops of the high seas and who attack foreign shipping with impunity.
AI: Caribbean fishing is still active, even in September. Local guides across the region—from Punta Cana to Trinidad—are reporting solid catches and favorable conditions. The Caribbean fishing calendar shows consistent “fair to good” days throughout the month, with peak times for snapper, mahi-mahi, and barracuda.
* * *
But Venezuela not backing down
Venezuela said Wednesday it had begun three days of military exercises on its Caribbean island of La Orchila as tensions soar amid US military activity in the region.
* * *
Trump still insists he deserves the Nobel Peace Prize.
I’ll leave you with that.
