Kelly: Legality of Trump’s Drug Boat Strikes ‘Questionable at Best’

On Sunday, Senator Mark Kelly (D-AZ) appeared on CBS’s “Face the Nation” and expressed his concerns about the legality of the Trump administration’s recent military strikes on alleged drug boats in the Caribbean Sea. According to Kelly, the actions taken by the administration are “questionable at best.”

The senator’s comments come after reports emerged that the United States military had launched a series of airstrikes on boats suspected of carrying drugs in the Caribbean Sea. These strikes, which were authorized by President Trump, were carried out by the US Southern Command in an effort to disrupt the flow of illegal drugs into the country.

While the Trump administration has defended these strikes as necessary for national security, Senator Kelly believes that they may have crossed legal boundaries. In his interview on “Face the Nation,” he stated, “I think the legality of these strikes is questionable at best. We need to ensure that our actions are in line with international law and that we are not overstepping our boundaries.”

The senator’s concerns are not unfounded. The use of military force in international waters can be a delicate matter, and it is important for the United States to adhere to international laws and protocols. In fact, the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) states that military action can only be taken in international waters if there is a clear threat to the country’s national security.

Furthermore, the legality of these strikes is also being questioned by other experts and lawmakers. Representative Eliot Engel (D-NY), chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, has called for a briefing on the matter and has expressed concerns about the lack of transparency surrounding these strikes.

In response to these criticisms, the Trump administration has maintained that these strikes were necessary to combat the growing threat of drug trafficking in the region. According to the US Southern Command, these strikes were carried out in accordance with international law and were only used as a last resort after other measures, such as warning shots, were unsuccessful.

However, Senator Kelly believes that there may have been alternative methods that could have been used to address this issue. He stated, “I understand the need to combat drug trafficking, but we must also consider the potential consequences of our actions. We need to work with our international partners and use all available resources to address this issue without compromising our values and principles.”

It is commendable that Senator Kelly is raising these concerns and calling for a thorough review of the legality of these strikes. As a nation, we must ensure that our actions align with our values and uphold international laws. We cannot afford to act unilaterally and risk damaging our relationships with other nations.

In conclusion, the Trump administration’s military strikes on alleged drug boats in the Caribbean Sea have raised questions about their legality. Senator Kelly’s remarks on “Face the Nation” have shed light on the need for a thorough review of these actions. As a nation, we must always strive to uphold international laws and work with our partners to address issues of national security. Let us hope that the necessary steps will be taken to ensure that our actions are in line with our values and principles.