Adriano Espaillat, president of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC), defined military attacks carried out by the United States in the Caribbean by shooting at vessels allegedly linked to drug trafficking, as illegal and irresponsible acts.
The 71-year-old Democrat recognized that, although there is a drug and opioid crisis with very delicate consequences for a large sector of Americans, this problem demands “proven solutions,” which can range from carrying out police actions at the local level to the implementation of programs to treat substance abuse, but not military attacks.
“The Trump Administration’s military attacks in the Caribbean and the Pacific Ocean are illegal and irresponsible, “It’s that simple,” he said. through a statement.
As part of the US Navy’s operations in the Caribbean, the Pentagon announced the deployment of the aircraft carrier USS Gerald Ford, the largest in the US fleet.
“These forces will strengthen and expand existing capabilities to dismantle drug trafficking and reduce and dismantle transnational organizations,” Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said in a statement.
In recent weeks, the US armed forces have destroyed a dozen vessels in both the Caribbean and the Pacific, leaving a balance of several dead people, near Venezuela and Colombia.
In this regard, Adriano Espaillat expressed that, the white house It must first obtain formal authorization from Congress to use its military forces outside of US territory, otherwise it would be violating the law.
“If this Administration continues to undermine the authority of Congress and pursue further unlawful attacks, it will continue to violate national and international laws,” he wrote.
For his part, Pete Hegseth, Secretary of Defense, announced that, in a new offensive implemented, US troops attacked another boat in the Caribbean, which he claimed was allegedly operated by members of the criminal organization called Tren de Aragua, which among its multiple criminal activities is dedicated to moving large quantities of drugs manufactured in South America with their final destination in the United States.
Keep reading:
• The US confirms another attack on a ship in the Caribbean and reports 6 people dead
• They confirm the eighth US attack on a ship, this time in the Pacific.
• The US destroys the second boat in the Pacific and leaves three dead.