# Mass murder on the high seas (Venezuelan "drug boat") **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [September 10, 2025, 1:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mass-murder-on-the-high-seas-venezuelan-drug-boat/1022910 "2025-09-10T13:44:49Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/son_of_a_rich/32/5439_2.png) [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Son_of_a_Rich)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2025, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mass-murder-on-the-high-seas-venezuelan-drug-boat/1022910/41 "2025-10-17T21:35:03Z")
It sends a bad message about our military, like maybe they’re too scared to stop suspicious vessels. That people who had a legit reason to be on the water were rightly afraid for their lives was made light of. Everyone from Kegbreath on down obeyed an illegal order and should be held accountable. ---
**Author:** ![dougrb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/76d3ee/32.png) [@dougrb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dougrb)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2025, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mass-murder-on-the-high-seas-venezuelan-drug-boat/1022910/42 "2025-10-17T21:41:16Z")
Pete’s working on it… > Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is clearing the ranks of the military’s lawyers to “get them out of the way” of possibly illegal moves, according to current and former defense officials. [https://www.rawstory.com/pete-hegseth-2674186502/](https://www.rawstory.com/pete-hegseth-2674186502/) ---
**Author:** ![Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/son_of_a_rich/32/5439_2.png) [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Son_of_a_Rich)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2025, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mass-murder-on-the-high-seas-venezuelan-drug-boat/1022910/43 "2025-10-18T15:44:17Z")
Apparently, there were two survivors of the last boat hit and, inexplicably, they were rescued by the Navy. On another occasion a craft with survivors was hit again. These two survivors are now in custody but any evidence of wrongdoing is at the bottom of the Caribbean. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2025, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mass-murder-on-the-high-seas-venezuelan-drug-boat/1022910/44 "2025-10-18T15:50:20Z")
Not inexplicable that they were rescued by the Navy. My understanding of the Law of the Sea is that every vessel is required to rescue anyone. I think even during an actual war (such as World War II), even enemy ships would rescue sailors from sunken vessels. ---
**Author:** ![Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba9def/32.png) [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Asking_Questions)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2025, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mass-murder-on-the-high-seas-venezuelan-drug-boat/1022910/45 "2025-10-18T15:55:33Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > even enemy ships would rescue sailors from sunken vessels. Unfortunately not every time. Look up the [USS Wahoo](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Wahoo_(SS-238)#Third_patrol,_January_%E2%80%93_February_1943). And before anyone says “subs can’t carry prisoners”, that doesn’t mean you’re obligated to machine gun them in the water. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2025, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mass-murder-on-the-high-seas-venezuelan-drug-boat/1022910/46 "2025-10-18T16:01:55Z")
Did I even say “every time”? ---
**Author:** ![Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/son_of_a_rich/32/5439_2.png) [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Son_of_a_Rich)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2025, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mass-murder-on-the-high-seas-venezuelan-drug-boat/1022910/47 "2025-10-18T16:13:48Z")
After blowing all those boats out of the water, and all the death, suddenly the Laws of the Sea kick in. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2025, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mass-murder-on-the-high-seas-venezuelan-drug-boat/1022910/48 "2025-10-18T16:38:37Z")
I guess maybe if you’re still on the boat you’re fair game, so best bet is immediately jump in the water for rescue. ---
**Author:** ![Hamlet](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hamlet/32/2818_2.png) [@Hamlet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hamlet)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2025, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mass-murder-on-the-high-seas-venezuelan-drug-boat/1022910/49 "2025-10-18T22:44:13Z")
I’m just gonna say that once you don’t hold anyone accountable for extra-judicial killings of people in an ill-defined and questionable legal “war on terror”, this is the next obvious step. The legal bullshit of a “Unitary Executive” of the Bush administration is now empowering a senile, hate-filled megalomaniac to kill whomever he sees fit, whether it is drug dealers, immigrants, or US citizens. Congrats once again to Republican lawyers and their supporters. One more rip in the Constitution. ---
**Author:** ![Love\_Rhombus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/love_rhombus/32/10694_2.png) [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2025, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mass-murder-on-the-high-seas-venezuelan-drug-boat/1022910/50 "2025-10-20T15:30:41Z")
When even Rand Paul is offering lukewarm criticism of your suspicious boat strikes, that….really means something? > **[Sen. Rand Paul says Caribbean boat strikes 'go against all of our tradition'](https://www.nbcnews.com/news/amp/rcna238428)** > > The Kentucky Republican said on "Meet the Press" that if Trump wants to go to war with Venezuela, Congress needs to vote on a declaration of war. ---
**Author:** ![crowmanyclouds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crowmanyclouds/32/19884_2.png) [@crowmanyclouds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crowmanyclouds)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2025, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mass-murder-on-the-high-seas-venezuelan-drug-boat/1022910/51 "2025-10-20T16:26:34Z")
**Sen. Graham** : Why Mr. Paul, are you in need of mah faintin’ couch? **Sen. Collins** : I’m concerned! Are you concerned? This is very concerning! **Sen. McConnell** : The fainting couch is in use. ---
**Author:** ![Hamlet](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hamlet/32/2818_2.png) [@Hamlet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hamlet)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2025, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mass-murder-on-the-high-seas-venezuelan-drug-boat/1022910/52 "2025-10-20T16:33:15Z")
One thing to note: The fact that these war criminals would rather send these “massively dangerous nacro-terrorists” that survive back to countries rather than keeping them in custody and trying them for the multitude of crimes they’re committing screams volumes about the war criminal’s desire to avoid any oversight whatsoever and the speciousness of their claims. ---
**Author:** ![Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/son_of_a_rich/32/5439_2.png) [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Son_of_a_Rich)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2025, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mass-murder-on-the-high-seas-venezuelan-drug-boat/1022910/53 "2025-10-20T17:00:02Z")
How many people does he have to murder before someone tries to exact a little revenge? Of course, that would be another pretense for retaliation. Which is just what he wants. ---
**Author:** ![Railer13](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/railer13/32/9742_2.png) [@Railer13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Railer13)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2025, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mass-murder-on-the-high-seas-venezuelan-drug-boat/1022910/54 "2025-10-20T17:44:58Z")
> [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](#): > > How many people does he have to murder before someone tries to exact a little revenge? But, as you say, any revenge tactic would be construed as an act of war by DJT, and then all hell would break lose. Although, I’m not sure what revenge _could_ be exacted…what is Columbia going to do, shoot down a USAF fighter jet? Good luck trying to accomplish that. ---
**Author:** ![Frodo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/frodo/32/302_2.png) [@Frodo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frodo)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2025, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mass-murder-on-the-high-seas-venezuelan-drug-boat/1022910/55 "2025-10-20T17:50:05Z")
It would be insane but not impossible, obviously shooting down a fighter is out of the question but using drones to attack U.S. Navy ships among other things would not be out of the range of possibilities. Then again it would be _utterly insane_ to give Trump and his lackeys exactly what they want, Colombia’s leaders not being batshit bonkers they will refrain from “kinetic” responses and try to win (or at least survive) the political conflict instead of the unwinnable military one. ---
**Author:** ![Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/son_of_a_rich/32/5439_2.png) [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Son_of_a_Rich)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2025, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mass-murder-on-the-high-seas-venezuelan-drug-boat/1022910/56 "2025-10-20T18:39:15Z")
> [@Railer13](#): > > Although, I’m not sure what revenge _could_ be exacted…what is Columbia going to do, shoot down a USAF fighter jet? Good luck trying to accomplish that. An act of terrorism in the US equal to the terrorism launched by trump. ---
**Author:** ![Frodo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/frodo/32/302_2.png) [@Frodo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frodo)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2025, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mass-murder-on-the-high-seas-venezuelan-drug-boat/1022910/57 "2025-10-20T18:53:32Z")
That would be even easier and even more stupid/insane. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2025, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mass-murder-on-the-high-seas-venezuelan-drug-boat/1022910/58 "2025-10-20T19:10:10Z")
> [@crowmanyclouds](#): > > Why Mr. Paul, are you in need of mah faintin’ couch? At first I read that as “fartin’ couch”. Either way, it would probably smell pretty bad. ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2025, 4:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mass-murder-on-the-high-seas-venezuelan-drug-boat/1022910/59 "2025-10-21T04:32:01Z")
> [@Frodo](#): > > That would be even easier and even more stupid/insane. It’s also a pretty common response to attacks by an enemy too powerful to fight conventionally. And not just by governments. People are certainly _not_ going to just sit there and take it indefinitely. If America intends to attack people at random, it can expect pushback. ---
**Author:** ![Frodo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/frodo/32/302_2.png) [@Frodo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frodo)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2025, 1:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mass-murder-on-the-high-seas-venezuelan-drug-boat/1022910/60 "2025-10-21T13:15:22Z")
Common in the Middle East may be, the U.S. has been meddling in South American politics, inciting coups, stealing Panama from Colombia, supporting genocidal governments, etc. for a long time now and there has never been any South American terrorist attack in U.S. soil. (No, Puerto Rico is in North America) The president of Colombia is a level-headed person and would not countenance that sort of stupidity. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mass-murder-on-the-high-seas-venezuelan-drug-boat/1022910.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mass-murder-on-the-high-seas-venezuelan-drug-boat/1022910.md?page=4)