U.S. Boat Strikes have Killed 32 People

Tuesday, October 21, 2025

Trump's Venezuela operation expands in the dark

Posted by retort at 02:23 PM | 65 COMMENTS | permalink

Ecuador released a man who survived a U.S. strike on a suspected drug-trafficking vessel after finding no evidence that he had committed a crime, officials said. [image or embed]
" CBS News (@cbsnews.com) Oct 21, 2025 at 9:00 AM

Donald Trump's military build-up off the coast of Venezuela is aimed at convincing President Nicols Maduro and his inner circle that staying in power will be more costly than leaving, according to Venezuelan opposition figures and analysts. on.ft.com/3L6ye57[image or embed]
-- Financial Times (@financialtimes.com) Oct 20, 2025 at 7:00 AM

Comments

None of them had trials.

And some of them have obviously been innocent.

#1 | Posted by Zed at 2025-10-21 11:18 AM

This a good time to talk about Trump's bloody insanity, on a day when he is using a backhoe (WTF?) to demolish the White House.

Donald craves the blood of others because this is the ultimate proof of his power; his proof that ordinary morality does not constrain him.

He does hesitate to murder people, now or in the past (Epstein of fond memory).

If he can't cheat his way through the mid-terms he's going to order Americans killed, and he has those who will carry out those orders.

The only question is how many of us die.

#2 | Posted by Zed at 2025-10-21 11:23 AM

So what?
Trump says they were a threat to America.
Trump is Judge, Jury, and Executioner, and you Libs are next.
--Republicans

#3 | Posted by snoofy at 2025-10-21 11:31 AM

33 people dead and the career of a black US Admiral dead.

Of course, they would likely have gotten him sooner or later anyway.

#4 | Posted by Corky at 2025-10-21 11:56 AM

Our adversaries support the cartels. This is just proxy war with China, Russia and George Soros backing the cartels.

#5 | Posted by visitor_ at 2025-10-21 12:21 PM

Prosecute the people responsible for these murders.

#6 | Posted by johnny_hotsauce at 2025-10-21 12:27 PM

Our adversaries support the cartels.

And you support war crimes. Just like a good little Nazi.

#7 | Posted by donnerboy at 2025-10-21 12:29 PM

Winning hearts and minds... republicl0wn style.

Never ends well.

#8 | Posted by RightisTrite at 2025-10-21 12:34 PM

This a good time to talk about Trump's bloody insanity, on a day when he is using a backhoe (WTF?) to demolish the White House.
Donald craves the blood of others because this is the ultimate proof of his power; his proof that ordinary morality does not constrain him.
He does hesitate to murder people, now or in the past (Epstein of fond memory).
If he can't cheat his way through the mid-terms he's going to order Americans killed, and he has those who will carry out those orders.
The only question is how many of us die.

#2 | Posted by Zed at 2025-10-21 11:23 AM | Reply | Newsworthy 1

Dude, you must be one of the remaining 10 people that tune into MSNBC. Get a life.

#9 | Posted by fishpaw at 2025-10-21 12:37 PM

Extrajudicial killings of non-combatants using the military.
Opened in foreign theaters and coming to domestic venues near you soon.

#10 | Posted by MBlue at 2025-10-21 12:38 PM

#9 | POSTED BY FISHPAW

Is your real name Pollyanna?

Donald Trump is the most famous mentally-disturbed person on the planet.

He tears things up; he kills people; he rapes people; he steals from people.

All these things are known about him.

Who taught you that they were good? Or did you make that decision all on your own?

#11 | Posted by Zed at 2025-10-21 12:43 PM

33 people dead and the career of a black US Admiral dead.

He was a career sailor with stars on his shoulder who felt it better to abandon his lifelong service than continue partaking in the administration's actions.

Who cares if he was black.

Jesus y'all gotta stop with the constant identity politics s*&^ already.

#12 | Posted by jpw at 2025-10-21 12:51 PM

This is just proxy war with China, Russia and George Soros backing the cartels.

#5 | Posted by visitor_

Duhhhhhh GeoRgE SorOz!!!

#13 | Posted by jpw at 2025-10-21 12:51 PM

Dude, you must be one of the remaining 10 people that tune into MSNBC. Get a life.

#9 | Posted by fishpaw

You don't have to watch a single second of MSNBC to see that is true you abysmally stupid pile of s*&^.

#14 | Posted by jpw at 2025-10-21 12:52 PM

He was just another DEI hire to the Trump Admin, and wouldn't have lasted anyway was the point.

#15 | Posted by Corky at 2025-10-21 12:52 PM

Fine. Probably true.

But don't cheapen the full impact of what his voluntary departure means over a likely hypothetical.

I just want to see Dems lose some of their old bad habits so we can at least have a fighting chance of surviving this nightmare.

#16 | Posted by jpw at 2025-10-21 12:58 PM

Him being black doesn't in my mind cheapen the impact of his leaving the service; it just points out the sneering disregard of non-whites by this Junta.

#17 | Posted by Corky at 2025-10-21 01:02 PM

Two that survived one of our illegal and unethical attacks were returned to their countries, Ecuador and Columbia. We didn't charge them, try them, or try to get information from them. We didn't tell Ecuador or Columbia to lock them up. I think it's pretty obvious why.

There's been ZERO evidence that anyone we've assassinated has been guilty of any crime. None.

#18 | Posted by YAV at 2025-10-21 01:09 PM

Our adversaries support the cartels. This is just proxy war with China, Russia and George Soros backing the cartels.
#5 | Posted by visitor_

What the hell are you talking about?
American consumers support the cartels.
And if drugs were legal, there wouldn't be drug cartels.
But then we wouldn't be able to send minorities to prison for victimless crimes.

#19 | Posted by snoofy at 2025-10-21 01:12 PM

I think the word your were looking for in the title is murdered.

#20 | Posted by dibblda at 2025-10-21 01:16 PM

I retract part of the above about the survivors. Columbian President Petro has stated the sub was a "narco submarine" and that the Columbian that was returned is going to be prosecuted. No word on the Ecuador return or if that happened.

"President Petro" sounds like a character in a spoof movie about Big Oil.

#21 | Posted by YAV at 2025-10-21 01:16 PM

Two questions:
(1) Where is the persuasive evidence that supports the Trumpists' assertions about these boats and the people on board them?
(2) Under what legal framework are these attacks/killings by US force conducted?

#22 | Posted by Doc_Sarvis at 2025-10-21 01:28 PM

#22 | Posted by Doc_Sarvis at 2025-10-21 01:28 PM | Reply

Question 3, if we can track them closely enough to target them with a missile why can't we board them with the Coast Guard and arrest them? You know, the legal thing to do.

#23 | Posted by MBlue at 2025-10-21 01:38 PM

Thank you, Mr. Blue, for that welcome addition.

#24 | Posted by Doc_Sarvis at 2025-10-21 01:40 PM

Re 23

Because then there would be all that pesky "evidence" that would have to be explained in a court of law. And Trumpy ain't got time for that.

#25 | Posted by donnerboy at 2025-10-21 01:42 PM

Shoot first, ask questions.... never.

It's the Fascist Way.

#26 | Posted by Corky at 2025-10-21 01:44 PM

Question 3, if we can track them closely enough to target them with a missile why can't we board them with the Coast Guard and arrest them? You know, the legal thing to do.

#23 | Posted by MBlue at 2025-10-21 01:38 PM | Reply | Flag:
(Choose)

They tried but the boats are set up to out run the coast guard ships. But you know, with a speed boat rated to go 80 that out runs a coast guard ship with 10 large containers on board is just some innocent boater out for a joy ride.

#27 | Posted by fishpaw at 2025-10-21 01:46 PM

just some innocent boater out for a joy ride.
#27 | Posted by fishpaw

It's no surprise that MAGA doesn't believe in "innocent until proven guilty."

MAGA can determine guilt by skin color alone.

#28 | Posted by snoofy at 2025-10-21 01:51 PM

#27 of course, this stupid pile of s^*% is ok with the us violating international law because he's too brain dead to understand how the world works.

#29 | Posted by jpw at 2025-10-21 01:51 PM

They tried but the boats are set up to out run the coast guard ships.

#27 | POSTED BY FISHPAW

And Coast Guard helicopters.

Idiot.

And that warning shot across their bows that they never got.

Idiot.

#30 | Posted by Zed at 2025-10-21 01:58 PM

Why is the United States Coast Guard guarding the coast of Venezuela in the first place?

Guessing it's because the Coast Guard is run by Alpha Males who are too proud to stop and ask for directions.

#31 | Posted by snoofy at 2025-10-21 02:00 PM

Our adversaries support the cartels. This is just proxy war with China, Russia and George Soros backing the cartels.

#5 | Posted by visitor_

My adversaries support the fascist who attempted a coup against the US constitution.

#32 | Posted by SpeakSoftly at 2025-10-21 02:05 PM

KKKristi Noem caught in a brazen lie as old photo used to promote extrajudicial slaughter.

www.rawstory.com

#33 | Posted by reinheitsgebot at 2025-10-21 02:25 PM

VISITOR forgot to mention Saul Alinsky while he was at it, LOL.

These RepubliQlown parrots have abandoned reality completely.

#34 | Posted by chuffy at 2025-10-21 02:57 PM

And Coast Guard helicopters.
Idiot.
And that warning shot across their bows that they never got.
Idiot.

#30 | Posted by Zed at 2025-10-21 01:58 PM | Reply | Flag:
(Choose)

And how do you know they didn't? Let me guess, Joy Bahar told you so.

#35 | Posted by fishpaw at 2025-10-21 03:02 PM

Speedboat (September 2025): The Dominican Republic announced it recovered 1,000 kilograms of cocaine from a speedboat that the U.S. military had struck in September 2025.
Semi-submersible vessel (October 2025): U.S. officials claimed that an alleged "narco-submarine" struck in October 2025 was carrying drugs, primarily fentanyl, based on intelligence. However, reports from the BBC and CBS News note that survivors of this strike were returned to their home countries without criminal charges.
Coast Guard seizure (September 2025): The U.S. Coast Guard seized nearly 13,000 pounds of cocaine after intercepting and sinking a different boat in a separate operation in September 2025. This incident was part of a counter-drug operation called "Pacific Viper" and is distinct from the military strikes announced by the Trump administration.

Here is your "zero evidence" idiots.

#36 | Posted by fishpaw at 2025-10-21 03:05 PM

"And how do you know they didn't?"

Because you don't fire warning shots on a Search and Destroy mission.

You're, like, really bad at this.

#37 | Posted by snoofy at 2025-10-21 03:06 PM

"Here is your "zero evidence" idiots."

You're correct. Those statements contain zero evidence regarding these extrajudicial assassinations.

#38 | Posted by snoofy at 2025-10-21 03:07 PM

Why should Trump stop doing whatever he wants if no one has the stones to stop him? D.C. is full of milquetoast sycophants. This country's legacy burns while Trump only cares about his Cinderella ballroom and serial interior decorating fulfilling his life's true ambition. His mommy would be proud of her make-up wearing, hair color like someone peed in a cotton-candy machine, bobby-pined coiffured, girdle harnessed, short-fingered vulgarian nincompoop.

#39 | Posted by lee_the_agent at 2025-10-21 03:13 PM

Let me guess, Joy Bahar told you so.

#35 | POSTED BY FISHPAW

Duhhhhh ThE ViEwXz!!

Idiot.

#40 | Posted by jpw at 2025-10-21 03:30 PM

Here is your "zero evidence" idiots.

#36 | Posted by fishpaw

Problem with an administration having zero credibility is that no intelligent person believes a thing they say. It's their own fault for lying all the time.

Why did they use a fake photo if they had all this evidence?

www.rawstory.com

#41 | Posted by SpeakSoftly at 2025-10-21 03:36 PM

Let's assume for this discussion that all of the boats were carrying drugs.

The executions of foreign nationals are completely against international law, carried out with no trial or arrest, in international waters. And the video of the execution released. If that were done to our citizens, we would either declare war on that nation or kick out their consular staff.

Do we act how we expect other nations to treat us?

I can envision a likely scene in the future where China (or India, etc.) accuses an American citizen of smuggling drugs and summarily executes the person (or sentence them to a lengthy prison term). We then should say/do...what?

Before Trump, we were mostly a model for how other nations should behave. We are now decidedly the opposite.

#42 | Posted by e1g1 at 2025-10-21 03:38 PM

To sum up, then, zero credible evidence presented to support attacking boats in international waters, destroying them, and killing almost all of the people on those boats.

I'm going to take a wild swing here, without evidence but plenty of curiosity: What do MAGAts make of Admiral Alvin Holsey sudden resignation? Or would they rather back-burner that one?

#43 | Posted by Doc_Sarvis at 2025-10-21 03:47 PM

What do MAGAts make of Admiral Alvin Holsey sudden resignation?

They'll think whatever Trump tells them to.

The entire Republican Party is beholden to Trump.

Trump hates America.

So they hate America.

#44 | Posted by ClownShack at 2025-10-21 03:51 PM

Here is your "zero evidence" idiots.

#36 | POSTED BY FISHPAW

#35 | POSTED BY FISHPAW AT 2025-10

This is useless.

Donald Trump lies about everything.

Why do you trust liars as readily as you do?

#45 | Posted by Zed at 2025-10-21 03:55 PM

#35 | POSTED BY FISHPAW

Not only does Trump lie all the time and about everything.

He coerces or bribes people and organizations to lie.

EVERY conversation with you starts off with your conviction that Trump is entitled to a presumption of honesty.

That's insane.

#46 | Posted by Zed at 2025-10-21 03:59 PM

I'm going to take a wild swing here, without evidence but plenty of curiosity: What do MAGAts make of Admiral Alvin Holsey sudden resignation? Or would they rather back-burner that one?

#43 | Posted by Doc_Sarvis at 2025-10-21 03:47 PM | Reply | Flag: Good Question

Trolls, troglodytes, and cultists must receive their talking points first before responding.

Years ago a colleague at work quickly closed his computer window when he heard me coming. But it was too late and my eyes were still young. He was reading talking points the RNC emailed to him.

#47 | Posted by C0RI0LANUS at 2025-10-21 04:07 PM

He was reading talking points the RNC emailed to him.

#47 | POSTED BY C0RI0LANUS

Pornography is a menace.

#48 | Posted by Zed at 2025-10-21 04:51 PM

#48: I noticed this Republican 'friend' of mine posted himself with Mitt Romney imagery to say he wasn't MAGA. He was a devout Catholic, against abortion and the death penalty, so my colleague wasn't a hypocrite. And ----- wasn't his thing. His brother used to tape NFL games for us and we'd see that he switched to ----- during the commercials. My 'friend' would embarrassingly groan and fast forward the smut.

#49 | Posted by C0RI0LANUS at 2025-10-21 05:17 PM

Where is the ICC? Where are the warrants?

#50 | Posted by Yodagirl at 2025-10-21 05:42 PM

I realize Fishpaw probably isn't capable of embarrassment on this score, but that "evidence" he presented ... whew! Pure barnyard product in terms of what normals here are attempting to seriously discuss.
To sum up, then, zero credible evidence presented to support attacking boats in international waters, destroying them, and killing almost all of the people on those boats.
I'm going to take a wild swing here, without evidence but plenty of curiosity: What do MAGAts make of Admiral Alvin Holsey sudden resignation? Or would they rather back-burner that one?

#43 | Posted by Doc_Sarvis at 2025-10-21 03:47
To take it even further, the 'evidence' shows that seizures can be done the right way without simply using an illegal missile strike.
But, we're 'Murica, who cares about International Law!

#51 | Posted by MBlue at 2025-10-21 05:44 PM

Why did they use a fake photo if they had all this evidence?
www.rawstory.com

#41 | POSTED BY SPEAKSOFTLY

Criminal incompetence along with criminal negligence.

#52 | Posted by donnerboy at 2025-10-21 06:25 PM

Are there any Republicans left on this site who aren't dedicated, pathological, serial liars?

#53 | Posted by snoofy at 2025-10-21 07:19 PM

Based on their own words and the topics they run from like terrorized barnyard cluckers? Doubtful.

#54 | Posted by Doc_Sarvis at 2025-10-22 04:51 AM

The Dummkopf Trumpf junta highlighted DHS and USCG capabilities in maritime drug seizures: www.dhs.gov

#55 | Posted by C0RI0LANUS at 2025-10-22 05:22 AM

Here is your "zero evidence" idiots.

#36 | Posted by fishpaw

It's as if this idiot speaks without knowing what the words mean...

#56 | Posted by jpw at 2025-10-22 09:33 AM

Are there any Republicans left on this site who aren't dedicated, pathological, serial liars?

#53 | Posted by snoofy at 2025-10-21 07:19 PM | Reply | Flag:
(Choose)
| Newsworthy 1

You still claim there's a pee tape.

#57 | Posted by fishpaw at 2025-10-22 12:26 PM

#57

... sounds like an admission of quilt. You know, when all you gots are stupid Whataboutisms.

#58 | Posted by Corky at 2025-10-22 12:40 PM

You still claim there's a pee tape.

POSTED BY FISHPAW

Occams Razor: simplest explanation is usually the best one.

It does seem to be the simplest explanation for Trumpy's bizarre relationship with Pooty Pants.

What explanation did you come up with for Trumpy's weird inexplicable behavior with the Russian Dictator?

#59 | Posted by donnerboy at 2025-10-22 12:41 PM

You've got to break a few humans to make a small cadre of soulless grifters and racebaiters look like a bold, legitimate government.

Lincoln saved the Union.
Roosevelt beat the Axis.
Trump sent fishing fleets back to the docks.

~ David Simon ~

#60 | Posted by reinheitsgebot at 2025-10-22 09:10 PM

The United States does not recognize the ICC court.

#61 | Posted by Petrous at 2025-10-23 11:31 AM

You still claim there's a pee tape.
#57 | Posted by fishpaw

You still claim it's okay to kill fishermen by pretending they are drug dealers.
Which do you think is worse?

#62 | Posted by snoofy at 2025-10-23 11:40 AM

Donnerboy:

you will never get anything but a disingenuous answer or deflection from FP