Hey, Trump--attempted murder or just policy now?

US forces just blew up another vessel in the Caribbean for supposed drug trafficking.

According to US intelligence, the vessel was carrying "mostly fentanyl."

Trump affirms that the attacked vessel was transporting "mostly fentanyl."

Six alleged drug traffickers were killed in a
 US strike near Venezuela earlier this month

He claims the crew were "narcoterrorists." 

Two were killed. Two survived.

But, um, here's the problem. Actually, two problems.

1) Ecuadorian authorities just cleared the survivor the US repatriated. They stated, "There is no evidence or indication" he committed any crime.

In other words, in the determination of the Ecuadorian government, this survivor was not a "narcoterrorist," but rather an innocent man. And the US just tried to kill him.

2) US Customs and Border Protection data show that far less than 1% of fentanyl enters the country via Caribbean maritime routes. Virtually all fentanyl seizures occur at land ports of entry.

So, if this ship's cargo was "mostly fentanyl," it marks a dramatic shift in cartel operations— suddenly risking US drone strikes in open waters. Which seems highly unlikely.

So, what do these two points mean, really?

It means the US is apparently lying.

It means the intelligence it touts is either incredibly faulty or nonexistent. 

It means the traditional method of dealing with suspected drug boats—seizing/cataloguing evidence/building prosecutions/limiting escalation—has been replaced by "shoot first, ask questions later."

The Caribbean: home to palm trees, white
sandy beaches, and, um, murder? 

It means the US has destroyed numerous vessels (some reportedly not even heading toward the US) and killed dozens of people—without really even knowing if they were innocent or not.

Congress members call it unacceptable.

European leaders call it concerning that the US has presented no evidence in launching these strikes.

The presidents of Colombia and Venezuela—based on their own findings and the lack of US transparency—call these killings "murder."

My cut: That's not just tough to argue—it's nearly impossible.