Clarke calls US boat strikes unlawful and un-American

NEW YORK:

United States Congresswoman Yvette Clarke has slammed military strikes against alleged drug boats off the coast of Venezuela and in the Pacific by the Trump Administration as unlawful and un-American.

She has called on the administration to cease using the United States Armed Forces for any hostilities in Venezuela or across the Caribbean as the US Congress has not authorised any such military action.

Clarke, who represents Brooklyn’s 9th Congressional District in the US House of representatives and whose parents are Jamaicans, said that the administration’s “kill first and ask questions never” approach demonstrates a cavalier disregard for both US and international laws.

In a statement, Clarke said: “Since September, ... these operations have resulted in more than 80 deaths across 20 separate strikes – actions undertaken without congressional authorisation, in clear violation of our Constitution. ...

“These strikes have done nothing to curb the opioid crisis here at home. Instead, they reflect poor leadership and reckless decision-making at the highest levels, including Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth issuing a verbal order ‘to kill everybody’ during a second strike on a suspected drug vessel, which is an alarming directive that demonstrates a cavalier disregard for both US and international law.”

She said that to date, the administration has not provided credible evidence to justify its actions.

“Rather than taking responsibility or accountability, this administration has shown nothing short of cowardly leadership by attempting to shift blame onto Navy Vice Admiral Frank Bradley for this unauthorised escalation toward conflict with Venezuela,” she said.

Congresswoman Clarke pointed out that congressional Democrats have called for briefings and hearings to address the military actions.

“Until we receive a formal explanation from the administration, it must cease using our Armed Forces for any hostilities in Venezuela or across the Caribbean. The Trump administration must atone for its actions before more are taken without due process and before further damage is done to our relationships with our Caribbean and Venezuelan neighbours,” she said.

The military strikes have generated considerable unease among congressional leaders, especially it has now been confirmed by the Trump administration that two survivors of a September 2 boat strikes were killed in a second strike on the boat.

Legal and congressional leaders have said that the strike may well be a war crime act or an act of murder.

editorial@gleanerjm.com