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That is the call that causes most of the collateral damage to happen - nothing precision about it. Our military success depends on precision, imho.
Last I knew the Coast Guard is the only service that can go after their/our own people in their/our own land - oceans, rivers, probably lakes too that are not land-locked and tiny Is that who our trigger-happy CinC will be using to do the deed?

This is what intel is for. Up to this point the cartels have been operating unfettered in the waters and have not felt the need to adjust their methods. This is similar to when Columbia announced and followed through on shoot down orders to aircraft in their airspace attempting to fly north to the US. After the first couple of shoot downs, the air tracks adjusted almost overnight to hop into Venezuela and then head north. That’s not an option in this case.

Maj Kevin "Mac" McLaughlin - Yes, indeed, my question about it was whether or not it was supported by trustworthy intel, because the way these actions by U.S. are presented to the public matter, imo. Instead of "bragging" about it as if it is acceptable retribution - without judge and jury - then at least say something that suggests it was a responsible action taken based on knowing who was being targeted and why (trustworthy intel), with or without identifying the target.
Columbia is a bit more wildwest than U.S. The wild west days are supposed to be long behind us - where people are not accountable for what seem irrational or retributive actions unless there is some amount of credible fact presented to the public.

SGT Mary G. This is categorically wrong. The US Navy can and does operate in international waters, where this is in fact happening. Just like we do in the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, and Arabian Sea against Somali pirates and Houthi rebels (and other locations too). Columbia set a very good policy is requiring aircraft to establish flight plans and identify themselves when operating over Colombian air space. Their actions made significant change almost overnight and placed an obstacle into the path of narcoterrorists as a result. It also highlighted and confirmed Venezuela to be the nation that chose to ignore international law. They are a major source behind the issues seeping into the US today.

Having lived in this region for 10 years (Guatemala, Panama, and Ecuador) and having worked at HQ USSOUTHCOM, I can confirm Columbia has taken huge strides to discredit the FARC as a political adversary and make them out to be what they actually are… narcoterrorists. This was established decades ago and the US has done the bare minimum to deal with the threat. But narcoterrorism is only a part of the problem. We are now experiencing human trafficking, more drugs funneled through this region from places like China, exporting terror gangs like TdA, and increased illegal immigration (which is used the above for obfuscation of those activities). Columbia has done well to work in partnership with the US to defeat the FARC, but Venezuela has become the next belligerent nation in the region. For decades I have contended we have ignored this region far too much as we provide minimal engagement and in some cases our involvement has been counterproductive (referring to the Carter years and his involvement after his admin ended).

This is not some Wild West movie where people are moving in with itchy trigger fingers. There is still a process, legal reviews, and a highly justified reason for our change in policy to take on the issues I noted. Furthermore, if you have not been to or lived in these regions, I would caution you to not simply categorizes them as the Wild West. That is an inaccurate and quite frankly ignorant term to use for these nations. There are certainly pockets of unmanaged and remote regions to be found here (just like most nations have) but that does not make them what you are implying. Is it ideal that we’ve come to this? No, but what solutions do you offer to counter the issues I listed, many of which originate from this region. I have zero problems with the US Navy taking out these shipping lanes (be it fast boats, aircraft, and even subs). The Venezuelan people have already spoken out against their authoritarian government, which even the Obama and Biden admins confirmed significant irregularities in their elections for Maduro. It’s time to tighten the noose, cut off his sources or revenue (along with his means to get rid of his criminal elements by exporting them here). Can mistakes happen? Certainly…. And I’m sure you’ll be quick to the trigger to say something if the intel proves to be wrong 1 time out of a 100. But the criticism should not be directed at Trump, and instead directed at the countries that refuse to police their own and enforce the security within their own borders. Venezuela has the means to stop or limit the actions of those committing these acts, just like Columbia has (and has become a better and more stable nation as a result).

This thread is about external threats, not homegrown.

Maj Kevin "Mac" McLaughlin - Yes, I see that it is about supposed foreigners out off the coast. However, as a "War on cartels" does that exempt active domestic cartels inside our nation? There have been plenty of stings apprehending folks involved in them in this neck of the woods - some undoubtedly local to the area. I'm wondering if threatening to send troops to U.S. cities would be a two birds with one stone plan - resulting in shoot first, don't even bother to ask later.

SGT Mary G. you’re conflating two very different issues. The actions at home with our military are centered on the following: assisting state and local LEOs with managing increases in crime, assisting our federal authorities in addressing the illegal immigration issues the last admin refused to address (allowing it to become a major problem), and to protect federal government facilities being attacked and overrun by so called protestors as some local/state authorities do little to nothing.

The cartels operating inside our borders are not and have not been addressed by the military. The DEA, FBI, ICE, BP, etc have all had specific roles here, to which they lead accordingly, based on the jurisdiction and specific law being addressed. No one from the Federal side is shooting up US cities and asking questions later. If you actually believe this, that kind of ignorance is part of the problem.