Tangle Did the U.S. commit a war crime?
Dec 2, 2025
The podcast dives into a controversial U.S. military operation targeting a drug boat in the Caribbean, raising significant legal concerns. Discussion revolves around whether a follow-up strike on survivors constituted a war crime. Conservative and liberal perspectives clash, with some defending the strikes while others call for accountability and highlight imperialist implications. The hosts also explore the risks of escalating military tensions with Venezuela and share insights on American mobility trends and Giving Tuesday's impact.
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Targeting Survivors Raises War Crime Questions
- The Washington Post reported a second strike targeted survivors of a drug-boat attack, raising legal alarms about possible war crimes.
- Common Article 3 of the Geneva Conventions forbids killing persons hors de combat, which experts say could make the strike illegal.
Admin's 'Armed Conflict' Claim Is Contested
- The administration has told Congress it is in armed conflict with drug cartels and labeled them terrorist organizations.
- Critics argue that narcotics trafficking is a crime, not a declared war, complicating legal justification for lethal military strikes.
Right Is Divided Over Strikes' Legality
- Voices on the right are divided: some call the double strike a war crime while others defend pressure on Maduro.
- Commentators argue laws of war forbid killing combatants rendered unable to fight, regardless of policy aims.