President Trump's administration has secretly assembled a list of 24 organizations that it claims are engaging in armed conflict with the United States, justifying deadly strikes on alleged drug smugglers at sea. But experts say this is nothing more than a fabrication, a "make-believe war" designed to circumvent congressional authority.
The list includes several groups from Latin America, such as Venezuela's Tren de Aragua gang and Colombia's Ejército de Liberación Nacional guerrilla insurgency. The U.S. claims that these organizations are working in tandem with the Sinaloa Cartel to smuggle drugs across the Caribbean Sea and Pacific Ocean. However, there is no evidence to support this claim, and many of the groups on the list have been described as mere smuggling operations.
Critics say that Trump's administration has created a "factual and legal alternate universe" where it can justify attacks on civilians without Congressional approval. This, in effect, amounts to an "unauthorized war" that is being waged by the executive branch without any oversight or accountability.
The military has carried out 17 known strikes on boats in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific Ocean since September, killing at least 70 people. However, the administration claims that these victims were members of the designated terrorist organizations (DTOs) that are supposedly engaged in armed conflict with the U.S.
Lawmakers have expressed concern over the lack of transparency and oversight in the strikes. Many say that the strikes are a form of "extrajudicial killings" that are not permitted under international law or domestic statutes.
"We need to see the full list of groups that the government has given itself permission to attack without Congressional authorization," said Brian Finucane, a former State Department lawyer. "And Congress needs to push back on this lawless killing and potential real, illegal war with Venezuela."
The Pentagon has refused to share information about the strikes or the list of DTOs, citing national security concerns. However, critics argue that the administration is using secrecy as a way to avoid accountability for its actions.
"It's a farce," said Finucane. "America's adversaries do not even know they are considered at war with the U.S., nor do the American people know with whom we're facing in a supposed state of armed conflict."
The list of DTOs has been reported by multiple sources, including CNN and other media outlets. However, the administration has refused to disclose the full list, citing concerns over national security.
In reality, many of the groups on the list are not even functioning organizations. The Cártel de los Soles, for example, is a system of corruption that lacks a clear leadership structure.
"The bottom line is, these strikes are illegal," said Finucane. "We need to see transparency and accountability from our government."
The situation raises serious concerns about the erosion of democracy in the United States under Trump's presidency. Critics argue that the administration is using authoritarian tactics to undermine Congressional authority and silence dissenting voices.
"This is not hyperbole," said one expert. "Court orders are being ignored, MAGA loyalists have been put in charge of the military and federal law enforcement agencies. The Department of Government Efficiency has stripped Congress of its power of the purse."
The situation requires immediate attention from lawmakers and journalists who are committed to defending democracy and human rights.
"We understand the challenge we face in Trump and the vital importance of press freedom in defending democracy," said an editor at The Intercept, a news organization that has been critical of Trump's presidency.
"But we will not be silenced. We will continue to report on these issues and push back against authoritarianism wherever it arises."
In order to protect democracy and human rights, it is essential to hold the administration accountable for its actions. This requires transparency, oversight, and a commitment to upholding the rule of law.
As one expert put it, "The fantasy conflicts between the United States and these organizations are a farce. We need to see the truth behind this fabrication and push back against it with all our might."
The list includes several groups from Latin America, such as Venezuela's Tren de Aragua gang and Colombia's Ejército de Liberación Nacional guerrilla insurgency. The U.S. claims that these organizations are working in tandem with the Sinaloa Cartel to smuggle drugs across the Caribbean Sea and Pacific Ocean. However, there is no evidence to support this claim, and many of the groups on the list have been described as mere smuggling operations.
Critics say that Trump's administration has created a "factual and legal alternate universe" where it can justify attacks on civilians without Congressional approval. This, in effect, amounts to an "unauthorized war" that is being waged by the executive branch without any oversight or accountability.
The military has carried out 17 known strikes on boats in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific Ocean since September, killing at least 70 people. However, the administration claims that these victims were members of the designated terrorist organizations (DTOs) that are supposedly engaged in armed conflict with the U.S.
Lawmakers have expressed concern over the lack of transparency and oversight in the strikes. Many say that the strikes are a form of "extrajudicial killings" that are not permitted under international law or domestic statutes.
"We need to see the full list of groups that the government has given itself permission to attack without Congressional authorization," said Brian Finucane, a former State Department lawyer. "And Congress needs to push back on this lawless killing and potential real, illegal war with Venezuela."
The Pentagon has refused to share information about the strikes or the list of DTOs, citing national security concerns. However, critics argue that the administration is using secrecy as a way to avoid accountability for its actions.
"It's a farce," said Finucane. "America's adversaries do not even know they are considered at war with the U.S., nor do the American people know with whom we're facing in a supposed state of armed conflict."
The list of DTOs has been reported by multiple sources, including CNN and other media outlets. However, the administration has refused to disclose the full list, citing concerns over national security.
In reality, many of the groups on the list are not even functioning organizations. The Cártel de los Soles, for example, is a system of corruption that lacks a clear leadership structure.
"The bottom line is, these strikes are illegal," said Finucane. "We need to see transparency and accountability from our government."
The situation raises serious concerns about the erosion of democracy in the United States under Trump's presidency. Critics argue that the administration is using authoritarian tactics to undermine Congressional authority and silence dissenting voices.
"This is not hyperbole," said one expert. "Court orders are being ignored, MAGA loyalists have been put in charge of the military and federal law enforcement agencies. The Department of Government Efficiency has stripped Congress of its power of the purse."
The situation requires immediate attention from lawmakers and journalists who are committed to defending democracy and human rights.
"We understand the challenge we face in Trump and the vital importance of press freedom in defending democracy," said an editor at The Intercept, a news organization that has been critical of Trump's presidency.
"But we will not be silenced. We will continue to report on these issues and push back against authoritarianism wherever it arises."
In order to protect democracy and human rights, it is essential to hold the administration accountable for its actions. This requires transparency, oversight, and a commitment to upholding the rule of law.
As one expert put it, "The fantasy conflicts between the United States and these organizations are a farce. We need to see the truth behind this fabrication and push back against it with all our might."
like what is going on? They claim these groups r working w/ Sinaloa Cartel to smuggle meds, but NO ONE has proof and it sounds super suspicious 
And now they're just attacking civilians w/o Congressional approval, which is totally not right 
I mean we need transparency & oversight ASAP or else this could lead to a legit unauthorized war 
Can't believe the admin would do something like this without checking in w/ Congress first...and now they're trying to hide the list? 
Like what's next, just making stuff up and expecting us 2 believe it? 
Sounds like a total fabrication to me! 
And what's even more sus is that the US has carried out these strikes without Congressional approval... like, what's next? 
We need to see the full list and get some answers ASAP 
. The Pentagon's secrecy is just fueling the fire 
. It's a clear case of authoritarianism and erosion of democracy in our country 
. I'm so scared for what the future holds... we need journalists and lawmakers to keep pushing back against this admin 
. trump's admin is basically making up this list of "terrorist" groups to justify their own actions without having to answer to congress or anyone else. it's like they're trying to create their own reality show where they get to decide who's a bad guy and who gets killed 
.
.
. it's like they're trying to hide something, but what? a bunch of fake "terrorist" groups and some dodgy intel that they just made up? give me a break 
.
. and we need to call them out on it before it's too late 
This is insane what's going on over there... 24 groups being singled out for attack without any concrete evidence, just a bunch of assumptions and fabrications 
. This whole thing reeks of a power grab and abuse of authority 
this is getting outta hand 
the whole thing smells like a setup 
to justify Trump's regime change agenda 
and i'm not buying it 
these groups are just being scapegoated for the real issue - US imperialism 
in latin america 
and the fact that they're attacking civilians is a war crime 
. And what's really disturbing is that the Pentagon won't even share information with us. That's just not right.
. Well, I think we need to call them out on this and demand some real accountability.