The Trump administration has ramped up military operations across the Caribbean in recent weeks, including attacks on targets the U.S. alleges are trafficking drugs. In doing so, Washington is further blurring the line between law enforcement and military operations, utilizing questionable authorizations while providing few details on strikes targeting small vessels said to be from Venezuela. For decades, U.S. officials have used the 2001 AUMF against Al-Qaeda and “nations, organizations, or persons” who aided the group in the 9/11 attacks to expand military operations exponentially across the globe. Instead, it has committed to a public relations campaign, spinning the strikes as necessary to protect vague “U.S. The Trump administration would be wise to adjust course if it hopes to succeed in any anti-cartel efforts in Latin America today.