Senior Democratic members of the United States House of Representatives have formally requested President Donald Trump to disclose the list of designated terrorist organizations (DTOs) and provide substantiated evidence for recent military operations in the Caribbean Sea. In a letter addressed to the President, the lawmakers expressed concerns over the administration’s lack of transparency regarding its designation of certain cartels as ‘non-state armed groups’ and ‘terrorist organizations.’ They emphasized that while the administration has claimed these groups pose an armed threat to the U.S., it has failed to identify specific organizations, outline the criteria for designation, or clarify the legal authority underpinning these decisions. The representatives also highlighted the constitutional necessity for Congress to authorize the use of military force, noting that Trump has bypassed this requirement. Furthermore, they criticized the administration for withholding critical intelligence and legal justifications for the strikes, which targeted vessels allegedly linked to drug trafficking organizations. The letter underscored the need for a comprehensive approach to addressing the drug crisis, emphasizing that military action alone is insufficient. Meanwhile, the Republican-controlled Senate recently blocked a Democratic-led measure aimed at restricting Trump’s authority to conduct such military strikes in the Caribbean, voting 51-48 against the proposal.
Senior congressmen urge president to justify military strikes in the Caribbean
