The U.S. military has escalated its drug interdiction campaign, conducting lethal strikes against suspected drug-trafficking boats in international waters, resulting in at least 115 deaths since early September. While the administration justifies these actions as necessary to combat narcotics trafficking linked to the Venezuelan government, legal experts express concerns about potential human rights violations and extrajudicial killings, noting that the targeted individuals did not pose an immediate threat. The operations, part of a broader geopolitical strategy against Venezuela, raise questions about the legality and diplomatic ramifications of unilateral military actions in the region. Critics argue that this approach may further destabilize the area without addressing the underlying issues of drug trafficking.