The Daily The U.S. Keeps Killing Venezuelans on Boats. Is That Legal?
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Sep 25, 2025 
Charlie Savage, a national security and legal policy reporter for The New York Times, delves into the legality surrounding recent U.S. military strikes on boats in the Caribbean. He examines a secret directive allowing lethal action against suspected drug traffickers and discusses the administration's self-defense rationale. Savage highlights concerns from legal experts about crossing established boundaries and the political motivations behind the strikes, particularly their impact on Venezuela and domestic audiences.
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Secret Order To Kill Suspected Smugglers
- The Trump administration secretly authorized lethal strikes on suspected drug-smuggling boats in international waters.
- This marks a dramatic shift toward treating drug trafficking as an armed-battlefield issue rather than a law-enforcement matter.
Footage And Crew Size Raised Doubts
- The first strike footage released was edited and raised questions about who was on the boat.
- Large crew sizes and edited video made analysts suspect civilians or migrants may have been killed, not just smugglers.
Legal Rationale Was Not Publicly Detailed
- Officials claim self-defense against drugs but provided no legal memo explaining how summary killings are lawful.
- Experts say targeting suspected criminals at sea without due process clashes with long-standing armed conflict law.