Benefits and Advantages of U.S. Military Strikes on Drug-Smuggling Boats in the Caribbean
1) a higher ratio of benefit to cost than interdiction
2) a higher ratio of benefit to possible harm to Americans than interdiction
3) a higher ratio of benefit to risk of harm to Americans than interdiction
Below is a persuasive essay crafted using principles and techniques from persuasion training, including Aristotle’s modes of persuasion (ethos, logos, pathos), Robert Cialdini’s principles (such as authority and scarcity), and psychological theories like the Elaboration Likelihood Model (central route for logical reasoning). The essay argues in favor of the U.S. military taking action to blow up boats carrying illegal drugs in the Caribbean. I’ve conducted research to gather relevant data and context to strengthen the argument with evidence and tailored it to appeal to a concerned, security-focused audience.
A Necessary Strike: Why the U.S. Military Should Strike Boats Carrying Illegal Drugs in the Caribbean
The Caribbean Sea, a stunning expanse of turquoise waters and vibrant cultures, hides a dark undercurrent: it serves as a major transit route for illegal drugs flooding into the United States. Each year, tons of cocaine, heroin, and other narcotics are smuggled through these waters on boats that evade detection, fueling addiction, crime, and instability both at home and abroad. The time has come for decisive action. The U.S. military must take a bold stand by targeting and destroying these vessels carrying illicit cargo. This is not merely a matter of law enforcement; it is a critical step to protect our national security, safeguard vulnerable communities, and disrupt the deadly drug trade at its source.
Let us first establish trust in this argument (ethos). As a nation, the United States has a long-standing commitment to combating drug trafficking, with the Department of Defense and agencies like the U.S. Coast Guard already engaged in counter-narcotics operations in the Caribbean through initiatives like Joint Interagency Task Force South (JIATF-South). According to the U.S. Southern Command, over 150 metric tons of cocaine were interdicted in the region in 2022 alone, yet traffickers adapt with faster boats and covert tactics, outpacing current efforts. I draw upon credible data and the expertise of military and law enforcement leaders who acknowledge that interdiction alone—seizing drugs after detection—is not enough. A more aggressive posture, authorized under international maritime law to neutralize threats, is within our ethical and legal bounds when lives and national interests are at stake.
Now, consider the logic behind this approach (logos). The Caribbean is a chokepoint for drug trafficking, with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) estimating that up to 90% of cocaine entering the U.S. transits through this region, often originating from South American cartels. These boats, frequently operating under flags of convenience or no flag at all, exploit the vastness of the sea and limited surveillance resources. Simply intercepting them allows cartels to rebuild, as seized drugs represent only a fraction of their profits—global drug trade revenues are estimated at $400-600 billion annually by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). Destroying these vessels sends a clear message: the cost of trafficking will be catastrophic. It disrupts supply chains directly, reduces the flow of drugs, and deters future attempts through the principle of scarcity—fewer boats mean higher risk and lower profitability. Moreover, military action leverages advanced technology like drones and naval assets, ensuring precision strikes with minimal collateral damage, as demonstrated by successful operations against piracy in other regions.
Beyond cold reason, let us feel the weight of this crisis (pathos). Imagine the heartbreak of a family in Miami or New Orleans, watching a loved one spiral into addiction from drugs that slipped through these waters. Picture the violence in Caribbean nations like Jamaica or the Dominican Republic, where cartels intimidate communities and corrupt officials, with homicide rates soaring—Jamaica alone reported a rate of 52.9 per 100,000 people in 2021, fueled in part by drug-related crime (UNODC data). Every boat we fail to stop is a lifeline for these cartels, a direct threat to our children, our neighbors, and our allies. We cannot stand idly by while this poison spreads. Blowing up these vessels is not an act of aggression; it is an act of protection, a shield for the innocent against an insidious enemy that respects no borders.
Some may argue that such military action risks escalation or violates sovereignty, but this concern falters under scrutiny. Under international agreements like the 1988 UN Convention Against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs, nations are obligated to cooperate in suppressing drug trafficking on the high seas, where no single country holds jurisdiction. The U.S. military, in coordination with regional partners through frameworks like the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative, can ensure actions are transparent and collaborative. Furthermore, the risk of inaction is far greater—each boat that reaches our shores delivers not just drugs, but the potential for overdoses (over 100,000 in the U.S. in 2022, per CDC data) and gang violence. We must act decisively, as hesitation only empowers our adversaries.
I urge you to stand with this cause, aligning with the principle of unity (Cialdini’s influence tactic). We are one nation, one community, bound by a shared duty to protect our future. The U.S. military has the authority, the capability, and the moral imperative to strike at the heart of this threat. By destroying boats carrying illegal drugs in the Caribbean, we reclaim our security, support our allies, and show the world that the United States will not bow to the scourge of the drug trade. Let us commit to this fight—starting with a resounding “yes” to action today. The stakes are high, and the time is now.
Persuasion Techniques Used
- Ethos: Established credibility by referencing authoritative sources (U.S. Southern Command, DEA, UNODC) and aligning the argument with national values and legal frameworks.
- Logos: Provided logical reasoning with data (drug transit percentages, interdiction stats, economic impact) and a clear cost-benefit analysis of military action versus inaction.
- Pathos: Evoked emotional response by highlighting personal and communal impacts of drug trafficking—addiction, violence, and loss—painting vivid, relatable scenarios.
- Cialdini’s Principles:
- Authority: Leveraged military and governmental expertise to reinforce the argument’s validity.
- Unity: Framed the issue as a shared struggle, uniting the audience under a common goal.
- Scarcity: Emphasized the limited window to act and the high cost to traffickers of losing boats.
- Elaboration Likelihood Model (Central Route): Targeted a motivated audience with detailed evidence and reasoning for lasting attitude change, rather than superficial cues.
- Narrative Elements: Used imagery (Caribbean as both beautiful and dangerous) and storytelling (family struggles, community threats) to make the argument memorable.
This essay is designed to influence policymakers, concerned citizens, or military advocates by addressing ethical concerns, providing hard evidence, and appealing to deeply held values of safety and justice. If you have a specific audience or additional context (e.g., a particular objection to overcome), I can refine the argument further. Let me know!
In addition:
- Enhanced Deterrence and Risk Elevation: Strikes impose a high cost on traffickers—death and asset loss—far beyond fines or imprisonment, altering the "numbers game" where low-risk, high-reward smuggling prevailed. As one veteran of prior counter-narcotics ops noted, traditional patrols were "highly ineffective" due to minimal consequences; strikes "completely change that formula," potentially reducing willingness to risk lives and vessels.
- Zero Risk to U.S. Personnel: Standoff engagements (e.g., via MQ-9 Reapers or Tomahawk missiles from destroyers) eliminate close-quarters dangers like armed resistance during boardings, protecting sailors and Marines. No U.S. casualties have occurred in 22+ strikes, contrasting with interdictions where confrontations can escalate.
- Rapid Disruption of Shipments: Preemptive destruction prevents drugs from reaching U.S. shores, avoiding the delays of pursuits or legal handoffs. In one joint op, the Dominican Navy recovered 1,000 kg of cocaine post-strike, showcasing swift results without prolonged chases.
- Strategic Intelligence Gains: Forcing cartels to adapt—rerouting via air, land, or new vessels—exposes networks, logistics hubs, and high-value targets. This "intelligence cascade" reveals hidden infrastructure (e.g., jungle bases, procurement lines), enabling deeper disruptions than isolated seizures.
- Quantifiable Impact on Flows: Administration data credits strikes with a 91% drop in sea-based drugs, pressuring cartel revenues and Venezuelan ties (e.g., Cartel of the Suns asset freezes). This scales beyond USCG's annual hauls, targeting 20-30% of Caribbean cocaine routes.
Benefit | Example Impact (2025 Data) |
|---|---|
Deterrence | 91% reduction in maritime cocaine inflows |
Personnel Safety | 0 U.S. casualties in 23 strikes |
Disruption Speed | 1,000 kg seized in single post-strike op |
Intelligence Yield | Exposed rerouting to Caribbean islands |
Scalability | 87 traffickers neutralized vs. USCG's 212 non-lethal seizures |
- Proactive vs. Reactive: Interdictions wait for detection and pursuit, letting ~90% of loads evade capture due to vast ocean areas and "go-fast" boats' speed. Strikes use surveillance (drones, P-8A Poseidons) for preemption, sinking threats before they offload, as Hegseth emphasized: "Find and terminate EVERY vessel."
- Efficiency and Cost-Effectiveness Long-Term: Boarding ops tie up cutters, helicopters, and personnel for days per seizure, with high operational costs (fuel, maintenance) and low yield against adaptive cartels. Strikes are quick (minutes) and leverage existing naval assets like the USS Gerald R. Ford group, forcing adaptations that amplify intel value without repeated exposures.
- Escalated Consequences for Systemic Change: Arrests target low-level operators, who are easily replaced, perpetuating the cycle. Strikes eliminate crews and vessels outright, hitting morale and economics—cartels must now invest in evasion, revealing vulnerabilities. This "strategic shaping" turns defense into offense, unlike interdiction's containment.
- Legal and Operational Framing: Under the "non-international armed conflict" declaration, strikes bypass lengthy prosecutions (often hampered by international extraditions), treating smugglers as terrorists. This aligns with bilateral pacts but scales militarily, as seen in joint recoveries without the evidentiary burdens of trials.
Finally:
The advantages and benefits of the US military strikes on boats in the Caribbean carrying illegal drugs primarily center on disrupting drug trafficking routes, weakening the financial power of drug cartels, and enhancing regional security. This military action aims to:
Disrupt and reduce the flow of narcotics into the United States by targeting vessels suspected of smuggling cocaine and other drugs, effectively shutting down key trafficking routes, especially those coming from Venezuela and Colombia [1] [4].
Cut off financial resources that sustain corrupt regimes and criminal organizations, as drug revenues often support loyalty among military and police officials involved in narcotrafficking [1] [5].
Deter traffickers by demonstrating a willingness to use force, potentially increasing the risks and costs for drug cartels operating in the Caribbean [1].
Support regional partners by cooperating with local navies and law enforcement to recover drugs and improve maritime security [1] [4] [6].
Enhance intelligence and operational capabilities by eliminating vessels that may be used by narco-terrorists and cartel members, thereby disrupting their logistics and command structures [1] [6].
Blowing up boats is considered preferable to traditional interdiction by some in the U.S. military and government because it aims to immediately and decisively disrupt drug trafficking operations by destroying vessels outright, rather than merely seizing them or arresting traffickers. This approach is intended to:
Eliminate the physical assets used for smuggling, making it harder for traffickers to continue operations quickly or replace lost boats.
Send a strong deterrent message to drug cartels by demonstrating a willingness to use lethal force, potentially raising the risks and costs for traffickers.
Target narcoterrorist groups militarily, as the U.S. government under the Trump administration labeled certain drug cartels as terrorist organizations, justifying military strikes rather than law enforcement interdiction [1]
Disrupt the financial networks supporting corrupt regimes and criminal groups by cutting off drug shipments before they reach U.S. shores [1]
In contrast, traditional interdiction involves stopping and boarding vessels, arresting suspects, and seizing drugs, which is a law enforcement approach that can be slower, less immediately destructive, and constrained by legal processes. Interdiction requires capturing suspects and evidence to prosecute, which can be complicated by traffickers' evasive tactics.
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