MIAMI (AP) — President Donald Trump has redefined the U.S. approach to drug smuggling with military strikes targeting boats suspected of transporting narcotics. In doing so, he criticized the longstanding U.S. strategy that focuses on intercepting such vessels as ineffective.
“We’ve been doing that for 30 years,” Trump stated, “and it’s been totally ineffective.” This statement coincided with the Coast Guard announcing record cocaine seizures, including over 225 metric tons, raising questions about the need for such drastic measures.
The military operations conducted under Trump have led to the destruction of 20 suspected drug boats and significant loss of life, with claims that the vessels are often manned by cartels and narco-terrorists. However, critics, including human rights organizations and political figures from both parties, express concerns about potential extrajudicial killings and the broader implications for U.S. credibility on human rights.
Veterans of the drug war argue that traditional methods of interdiction should be enhanced instead of abandoned. Evidence indicates that captured crew members provide actionable intelligence valuable to disrupting trafficking networks, a benefit lost when the crew is killed.
Despite the controversy surrounding Trump's military strategy, Secretary of State Marco Rubio defended the new approach, claiming traditional interdiction is insufficient in the face of robust drug supply and persistent demand in the U.S. Cocaine prices have dropped to historical lows, further complicating the battle against trafficking.
In a sharp divergence from the military strategy, the Coast Guard's efforts remain lauded as practical and effective, reporting a significant increase in cocaine seizures. The operations, specifically Operation Pacific Viper, involve collaboration with various federal and international agencies and have not resulted in fatalities, distinguishing them from military actions.
Importantly, experts have emphasized that much of the drug trafficking issue lies with fentanyl, often smuggled overland from Mexico, not solely cocaine shipments from South America. Assertions that Trump's military strikes have directly prevented overdose deaths related to fentanyl have been challenged by experts, indicating an overestimation of the impacts of these strikes.
As the debate continues, the effectiveness of Trump’s strategy and the implications for future U.S. drug policy remain hotly contested.
