John Smith wrote Yesterday at 3:48pm:
It doesn't matter where fentanyl comes from, Hegseth is screwed regardless. The USA isn't at war with Venezuala so the rules of war do not apply and even if they were, blowing survivors out of the water is against military laws. Even a pardon from Trump can't save Hegseth. Military, international or state laws will get him
It does a bit, JS. If the most powerful military in the world is prepared to mobilise on the sole premise of taking out fentanyl dealers, I think that's pretty relevant.
Venezuela has nothing to do with fentanyl, as every schoolboy knows. Its gangs trade in cocaine, from Colombia, the country next door.
If the US government is prepared to lie, make stuff up and encourage its cult followers to do the same, this is the end of the US, light on the hill, champion of liberalism and the rule of law.
But you're right. Killing survivors at sea is the kind of thing the Nazis would do. Mind you, not even German and Japanese navies did this in WWII. Even they followed maritime law.
Unfortunately, the US is not a signatory to the ICC. Venezuela's taken a complaint to the UN, but the US can veto whatever it wants on the Security Council.
This, I fear, is going to get a lot worse before it gets any better. The US' biggest aircraft carrier is now heading for the Caribbean, full steam ahead. That's a plan for war.