U.S. Military Destroyed Another Boat in Latin America, Killing Six People

Strategic Insights -

President Trump announced on Tuesday that the U.S. military had destroyed another boat in the waters around Latin America, killing six people on board, claiming they were affiliated with a "Designated Terrorist Organization (DTO) conducting narcotrafficking-off the Coast of Venezuela." This incident marks the sixth known watercraft destroyed by U.S. forces in the region since Trump greenlit the first attack early last month. The episode has raised questions about the administration's authority to order such killings, with former State Department counsel Brian Finucane pointing out that Trump may not have the authority under Article II of the Constitution to do so.

Key Takeaways:

  • The U.S. military has destroyed six boats in Latin America since Trump greenlit the first attack early last month, resulting in the deaths of over two dozen people.
  • President Trump claims the individuals on the boat were affiliated with a "Designated Terrorist Organization (DTO) conducting narcotrafficking-off the Coast of Venezuela."
  • The incident has sparked questions about the administration's authority to order such killings, with former State Department counsel Brian Finucane arguing that Trump may not have the authority under Article II of the Constitution to do so.
  • The U.S. military's domestic deployment is part of the Trump administration's alleged effort to crack down on crime, but some critics view it more as a means of accelerating immigration enforcement.
  • The cost of the National Guard deployments could wind up costing Americans roughly two-thirds of a billion dollars, with tens of millions of dollars spent on deployments to Chicago, Portland, and Memphis if Trump's plans for those cities proceed.
  • Despite the deployment, overall violent crime in Washington D.C. hasn't changed much since the troops arrived two months ago.
  • The Pentagon is facing backlash from media outlets and journalists who are refusing to sign an agreement accepting unprecedented restrictions on covering the military or will turn in their badges, with only One America News declaring it will sign.
  • The new policy has been criticized by numerous media outlets, with some accusing the Pentagon of attempting to shut down independent reporting and crush the independence of the media in clear violation of the First Amendment.

Statistics:

  • Over two dozen people have been killed in U.S. military attacks in Latin America since early last month.
  • The U.S. military has destroyed six boats in the region since Trump greenlit the first attack.
  • The cost of National Guard deployments could wind up costing Americans roughly two-thirds of a billion dollars.
  • Tens of millions of dollars will be spent on deployments to Chicago, Portland, and Memphis if Trump's plans for those cities proceed.
  • Overall violent crime in Washington D.C. hasn't changed much since the troops arrived two months ago.

Sources:

  • Trump, Donald. "Tweet." Truth Social, 2025.
  • Finucane, Brian. "Video." YouTube, 2025.
  • Commercial Appeal. "National Guard, ICE in Memphis: What to know." Commercial Appeal, 2025.
  • Reuters. "Did Trump's crime crackdown in Washington work? It's complicated." Reuters, 2025.
  • Washington Post. "Fox News, along with ABC, CBS and NBC, did not sign the Defense Department's press policy." Washington Post, 2025.
  • Defense One. "Defense trade press statement on media restrictions, Pentagon." Defense One, 2025.
  • CNN. "Pentagon's new media restrictions spark concern among journalists." CNN, 2025.
  • Reporters Without Borders. "Press Freedom in the United States: A Statement on the Pentagon's Media Restrictions." Reporters Without Borders, 2025.
  • Sen. Jack Reed. "Statement on Pentagon Press Policy." Sen. Jack Reed, 2025.
  • Boot, Max. "The Dilemma of Duty Under Trump." Foreign Affairs, 2025.