US Drug War Escalates: Deadly Boat Strikes Redefine "Armed Conflict"

• US strikes on suspected drug boats have killed 107 people and destroyed 31 vessels since early September.
• The Trump administration declared an "armed conflict" with drug cartels, retroactively dating it to September 2.
• This reclassifies those killed as "unlawful combatants," allowing lethal force without prior judicial oversight.
• The new approach marks a significant shift from traditional law enforcement methods against drug trafficking.
• Lawmakers and human rights groups express concern over the legal justification and lack of transparency.

Why It Matters: US redefines drug war as "armed conflict," raising legal and ethical questions about lethal force and transparency.