Trump’s Gunboat Diplomacy Enters Uncharted Waters

The sinking of a small boat the U.S. president said was carrying drugs violated traditional procedures.

A U.S. naval vessel labelled with the number 70 by a dock and a small tree-covered hill. September 4, 2025, 1:00 AM Comment icon View Comments ( )

On Sept. 2, U.S. President Donald Trump said the U.S. Navy had sunk a small boat in international waters and claimed that the 11 passengers on board were gang members transporting drugs. Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio hailed the strike as a sign of the administration’s commitment to its fight against drugs entering the United States. But the operation violated traditional procedures in verifying and seizing the contents of the ship and detaining the personnel, duties typi

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