Reckless Force: The Administration's Dangerous Escalation in Latin America

The Facts:

The Trump administration has significantly intensified its military campaign against suspected drug trafficking operations in Latin American waters, conducting lethal strikes against boats in both the Caribbean and Pacific regions. These operations have been carried out without the administration providing either concrete evidence supporting their accusations against the targeted vessels or a clear legal basis justifying the use of deadly force. Regional officials and family members have reported that some of those killed were actually fishermen going about their lawful business. Simultaneously, the administration imposed severe financial sanctions against Colombian President Gustavo Petro, his wife, son, and a close advisor last Friday. On the same day, Secretary of State Marco Rubio reaffirmed the unprecedented decision to decertify Colombia as a cooperative partner in counternarcotics efforts - the first such action in nearly three decades. Rubio subsequently characterized the administration’s posture as a reaction to what he called “a hostile foreign leader,” despite simultaneously praising Colombia’s security forces. This confrontation represents the latest escalation in the administration’s targeting of Latin American nations perceived as ideologically divergent, particularly those critical of U.S. foreign policy approaches including the war on drugs and support for Israel.

Opinion:

This pattern of unilateral military action without evidence or legal justification represents everything that should terrify every American who values constitutional principles and human rights. The administration’s willingness to execute lethal strikes without due process or transparency fundamentally violates the very democratic values we claim to champion globally. When families mourn fishermen allegedly mistaken for drug traffickers, when sovereign nations face economic punishment for political dissent, and when military force replaces diplomatic engagement, we witness the dangerous erosion of America’s moral authority. The absence of evidence presented for these actions and the lack of legal justification should alarm all citizens regardless of political affiliation - this is not how a constitutional republic operates. Targeting Colombia’s democratically elected leader with sanctions because of ideological disagreements sets a terrifying precedent that undermines international diplomacy and disrespects national sovereignty. The decertification of a long-standing partner like Colombia, without clear justification, demonstrates a reckless abandonment of diplomatic norms that have taken decades to build. This militarized approach to complex international problems reflects a disturbing preference for force over dialogue, for aggression over evidence, and for ideological purity over pragmatic solutions. As Americans who believe in justice, due process, and the rule of law, we must demand accountability and transparency in our foreign policy operations, especially when human lives are at stake and international relationships hang in the balance.