UN: US Law Does Not Allow Governments
to Murder Suspected Drug Traffickers
Win Without War
(September 24, 2025) —Trump announced US forces have “knocked off … three boats” — indicating another unauthorized, lethal strike on vessels in the Caribbean. [1] That’s three strikes in less than three weeks.
At least 14 people have been killed, likely in violation of both US and international laws. Trump and his cronies are stonewalling Congress’ efforts to get answers and troubling questions have emerged as to who was even on the boat, in addition to reports that the vessel was retreating from US forces at the time of the attack.
Article 1, Section 8, Clause 11 makes it Congress’ responsibility to decide most questions involving the use of force — everything from putting US troops in harm’s way to ordering airstrikes that kill. Congress never authorized these strikes — or any military action in the Caribbean.
We cannot let Trump get away with these unauthorized, unnecessary, and dangerous attacks. Luckily, we’re not alone: Champions in Congress are prepping and introducing a number of War Powers Resolutions to stop Trump. Now our job is to build support for each one and remind lawmakers that no one wants needless and lawless violence.
Expanding the failed “war on drugs” with reckless, unlawful military action won’t stop the flow of fentanyl. What’s more likely? Economic crises, the further erosion of civil liberties, and escalated violence across the Western Hemisphere.
Take one example: Our sister organization, the Win Without War Education Fund, organized a tabletop exercise (TTX) earlier this year that simulated the consequences of a similar scenario. The TTX found that US military action in Mexico and the resulting fallout between the Mexican and US governments wouldn’t just fail at curbing fentanyl flows. Instead, US strikes would actually intensify cartel violence and displacement abroad, hurt US workers, put servicemembers at increased risk, and deepen attacks on civil liberties here at home. [3]
There’s no reason to think we wouldn’t see similar devastation as a result of Trump’s attacks in the Caribbean — and as Defense Secretary Hegseth’s earlier promise that these attacks “won’t stop with just [one] strike” comes to horrible fruition, THIS is the moment to respond.
We have to act now, before this situation escalates out of control and more people are put in harm’s way. That requires Congress asserting its constitutional authority and passing a War Powers Resolution that stops Trump from conducting even more strikes.
Sign now to urge the Senate: Pass S.J.Res.83 and stop Trump’s march to war!
We know how this ends. The history of disastrous US intervention in Latin America and the Caribbean is well-documented. In the 20th century alone, the US military intervened three times in Cuba, installed a pro-US government in Haiti, and occupied the Dominican Republic and Nicaragua. That’s not all: During the Cold War, US-supported coups toppled governments in Brazil, Bolivia, Chile, Guatemala, and Panama.
More violence and more death are not the answer. At home and abroad, Trump’s actions are those of an out-of-control authoritarian. But with your help, we’ll push more members of Congress to be the check we need to pull Trump off the course toward war.
Thank you for working for peace,
The Win Without War team
- Miami Herald, “Trump says US forces sank third suspected drug boat off Venezuela”
2.The Hill, “Senate Democrats attempt to limit Trump’s power after Venezuela boat strikes”
3. Win Without War Education Fund, “No Winners: Simulating the Aftermath of a US Attack on Mexican Cartels”
