The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) is playing a pivotal role in the controversial lethal air strikes conducted by the Trump administration against suspected drug smugglers in the Caribbean Sea. According to three sources familiar with the operations, the CIA is providing real-time intelligence, including satellite data and signal intercepts, to identify and track boats suspected of carrying drugs from Venezuela. This intelligence is crucial in making recommendations about which vessels should be targeted with missiles. While the CIA's involvement has not been previously disclosed, it is now clear that the agency is at the heart of these operations. Despite the public interest and debate surrounding the killing of civilians, the information gathered by the CIA is likely to remain classified. Unlike the DEA or the Coast Guard, the CIA's intelligence is not designed for legal evidence but rather to provide insights and recommendations. Mark Lowenthal, a former CIA official, emphasizes that the agency's intelligence is not the same as evidence and is often a mix of facts and less concrete information. The CIA's role in these strikes is designed to protect its sources and methods, making it unlikely that the details of their intelligence will ever be publicly disclosed. The administration has only released grainy video snippets of boat explosions, and the Pentagon and the White House have been tight-lipped about the operations, citing operational security and intelligence matters. The controversy surrounding these strikes raises questions about the legality of using deadly force against civilians suspected of drug smuggling. Experts in international humanitarian law argue that such actions violate the rights of civilians not engaged in war. The situation highlights the complex nature of intelligence gathering and the challenges of balancing national security with international law.
