Deadly 'drug strikes' are a stain on US

AMERICA'S clandestine killing campaign off the coast of Venezuela is not counter-narcotics policy.

- CHRISTOPHER BUCKTIN

It is unlawful, indefensible state violence - a stain on the United States and a damning indictment of Donald Trump's national security doctrine.

Since early September more than 80 people have been killed in 20 strikes that the Trump administration says have targeted drug traffickers.

That Secretary of War Pete Hegseth is fronting this operation only deepens the disgrace. His performative machismo, his disdain for law, and his eagerness to please the president have fused into a policy of killing first and explaining never.

Let us start with the basic, devastating truth: there is no evidence that any of the people killed in these strikes were drug smugglers. None. No seized narcotics. No corroborated intelligence. No verifiable link between the victims and any cartel.