US President Donald Trump claimed on Sept. 2 that US forces attacked a drug-smuggling vessel departing from Venezuela in the southern Caribbean Sea that day, killing 11 'terrorists'. Recently, the US has deployed several warships in the Caribbean waters near Venezuela under the pretext of combating drug cartels in Latin America, escalating tensions between the two countries.
Venezuela has stated that the video is fabricated by artificial intelligence (AI) to justify actions against Venezuela.
On Sept. 2, Trump announced in the Oval Office that US forces had attacked a drug-smuggling vessel departing from Venezuela in the southern Caribbean Sea that day, killing 11 'terrorists'. Trump later posted on social media, claiming that he ordered the US military to carry out the strike.
According to him, the targeted vessel was a drug transport ship belonging to the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua, which he accused of operating with the support of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. He stated that the US military attacked the transport ship on the high seas while it was heading to the United States.
Trump also attached a black-and-white video to his post, showing a small boat moving rapidly on the sea before exploding and catching fire. The White House did not provide a detailed explanation of the US military's operation, nor clarify how the US military identified the vessel as a Tren de Aragua drug transport ship.
The New York Times quoted senior US officials as revealing that the US military deployed a special operations aircraft (an attack helicopter or an MQ-9 "Reaper" drone) to strike a speedboat loaded with drugs. Officials disclosed that US reconnaissance aircraft and other sensors had been monitoring maritime drug trafficking by cartels but refused to provide further details about the operation, such as the specific location of the strike, the means of force used, casualties, or the quantity of drugs involved. Another unnamed US official stated that there would be more such attacks on drug-smuggling vessels in the future.
Venezuela: Video fabricated by AI
This operation comes at a time when the US, under the pretext of "combating Latin American drug cartels," has amassed a large fleet of vessels in waters near Venezuela, heightening tensions between the two countries. External analysts note that the US military's decision to directly destroy the suspected drug-smuggling vessel rather than seize it is extremely rare, suggesting the move is intended to further pressure Maduro.
On Sept. 2, Maduro strongly criticized the US, pointing out that the US's domestic and international credibility has severely collapsed and that it can only rely on fabricating lies to try to control Venezuela again. Maduro stated that the US deployment of nuclear submarines under the guise of combating drug trafficking is a global first, and such a "Hollywood-style narrative" is unconvincing. He emphasized that the US covets Venezuela's abundant oil resources.
Maduro stated that the Venezuelan government is prepared to the maximum extent to defend the country and will not yield to any form of coercion or threat. On Sept. 1, Maduro announced that the country's militia organization had reached a record high in recruitment, with 8.2 million Venezuelans voluntarily joining.
Additionally, in response to the US attack, Venezuelan officials accused the US government of engaging in false propaganda. Venezuelan Minister of Communication Freddy Ñáñez posted on social media, stating that US Secretary of State Rubio provided Trump with a fake video generated by artificial intelligence (AI).
Experts: US "bullying" Involves human rights violations
Although the Trump administration insists that the opening fire was to combat a drug-smuggling vessel from Venezuela, experts note that the US military has not presented any substantial evidence, and the operation itself does not align with previous paradigms for combating drug trafficking. According to Article 2(4) of the UN Charter, countries may resort to force when under attack and exercising military self-defense.
Professor Michael Becker of Trinity College Dublin told the BBC that the US government's description of those killed in the attack as "terrorists" does not mean they were legitimate military targets.
"Not only does the strike appear to have violated the prohibition on the use of force, it also runs afoul of the right to life under international human rights law."
John D. Feeley, former US Ambassador to Panama, who participated in anti-drug operations in Latin America, stated that the US Coast Guard can only take action after confirming that a vessel is carrying drugs. Feeley pointed out that the US military's operation this time does not conform to any norm.
Professor Luke Moffitt of Queen's University Belfast noted that "force can be used to stop a boat but generally this should be non-lethal measures." he also stated that the US military's arbitrary use of force in this instance may constitute to an "extrajudicial arbitrary killing" and "a fundamental violation of human rights".
"Labelling everyone a terrorist does not make them a lawful target and enables states to side-step international law."
(With input from Ta Kung Pao, BBC, Reuters; English Editor: Darius)
Related News:
Watch This | Lisbon's Gloria Funicular derails, leaving 15 dead, 18 injured
Watch This | Trump says to expand Chinese student enrollment to 600,000
Comment