Teh US military opened fire on two people clinging to the wreckage of a boat allegedly carrying drugs, congressional lawmakers learned this week as they seek more answers about the attack and the legal underpinnings of President Donald Trump’s military campaign in international waters near Venezuela.
The September 2 strikes on an alleged drug boat were the first foray by the US military into blowing up vessels allegedly carrying drugs. But this particular attack and the broader military campaign, which so far has destroyed more than 20 boats and killed more than 80 people, is now under intense scrutiny.Lawmakers who oversee national security committees heard this past week from the Navy admiral who ordered the initial strikes, including the follow-up that killed the two survivors.
While Adm Frank “Mitch” Bradley stated clearly that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth did not issue a “kill them all” order on the survivors,Democratic lawmakers say the scope of the mission was clear – to destroy the drugs and kill the 11 people on board. The lawmakers and military experts say the sequence of events is alarming, possibly violating the laws of armed conflict that safeguard human rights and protect American troops.
What lawmakers learn in the weeks ahead, and how far they are willing to press the governance for answers, presents a defining moment for the US military under Trump’s second-term command. It is indeed testing the scope of laws that have long governed soldiers on the battlefield and will almost certainly influence the course of the tense standoff between Trump’s White House and the government of Venezuela.
Here’s what’s known about the boat strikes and what other facts lawmakers are still pursuing.
What lawmakers have learned
Table of Contents
[Image of US Navy Admiral Frank M. Bradley accompanied by General Dan C.]
Lawmakers were briefed by Adm. Bradley on the events of september 2. Here’s what they’ve learned so far:
* The initial strike: A US Navy ship detected a vessel believed to be carrying a large quantity of illegal drugs. The ship issued warnings, which went unheeded, and then fired upon the boat, destroying it.
* Survivors in the water: After the initial strike, two people were seen clinging to debris from the destroyed vessel.
* The follow-up strike: Adm. Bradley ordered a second strike on the survivors,believing they posed a threat.This decision is now the focus of intense scrutiny.
* No “kill them all” order: Adm. Bradley testified that he did not receive orders from Defense Secretary Hegseth to kill everyone on board. However, Democratic lawmakers argue the intent was clear.
* Legal justification: The administration has argued the strikes were justified under the president’s authority to defend national security and disrupt the flow of illegal drugs. This justification is being challenged by lawmakers and legal experts.
What questions remain
Lawmakers are seeking answers to several key questions:
* The rules of engagement: What were the specific rules of engagement for the military personnel involved in the operation? Were they clearly defined and did they allow for the use of lethal force against survivors?
* The intelligence: What intelligence did the US Navy have about the vessel and the people on board? Was there any indication that they posed an immediate threat?
* The proportionality of the response: Was the use of lethal force against the survivors a proportionate response to the perceived threat?
* The legal basis: What is the legal basis for the US military to conduct these types of operations in international waters?
* The involvement of Venezuela: What role, if any, did the Venezuelan government play in the events leading up to the strikes?
Lawmakers have requested additional documents and testimony from the administration, and are considering holding further hearings on the matter.The outcome of this examination could have significant implications for the future of US military operations and the relationship between the US and Venezuela.
Trump Administration justifies Military Action Against Cartels Using ‘War on Terror’ Legal Basis
The Trump administration is basing its military operation against drug cartels on a legal opinion that frames drugs and smugglers as terrorist threats, allowing them to be targeted under the same rules as the global war on terror. This rationale stems from the lack of explicit Congressional authorization for the campaign.
Traditionally, drug running has been considered a serious criminal offense handled by law enforcement agencies like the Department of Homeland Security’s Coast Guard, not the military. However, the administration’s legal opinion dramatically shifts this approach, effectively equating drug smuggling with terrorism.
Democrats have voiced concerns regarding the conclusions reached by the Trump administration.
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Understanding the Facebook Pixel: A Comprehensive Guide
The Facebook Pixel is a powerful tool for advertisers and website owners looking to track conversions, optimize ad campaigns, and build targeted audiences. This guide provides a detailed overview of the Facebook Pixel, covering its functionality, implementation, benefits, and best practices. Publication Date: 2025/12/06 22:39:34
What is the Facebook Pixel?
The Facebook Pixel is a snippet of JavaScript code that you place on your website. It allows you to track visitor activity, measure the effectiveness of your ads, and build custom audiences for retargeting. Essentially, it bridges the gap between your website actions and Facebook advertising, providing valuable data for optimizing your marketing efforts. Facebook’s official documentation provides a detailed explanation.
how Does the Facebook Pixel Work?
When someone visits a page on your website with the Facebook Pixel installed, the pixel fires and sends data back to Facebook. This data includes information about the page visited, the actions taken (like adding an item to a cart or making a purchase), and other relevant details. This information is then used for several key purposes:
- Conversion Tracking: Measure the effectiveness of your Facebook ads by tracking which ads lead to desired actions on your website.
- Retargeting: Show ads to people who have previously interacted with your website, increasing the likelihood of conversion.
- Custom Audience Creation: Build audiences based on specific website behaviors, allowing for highly targeted advertising.
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Implementing the Facebook Pixel
Implementing the Facebook Pixel involves a few key steps:
1. Creating a Pixel
You create a Facebook Pixel within your Facebook Ads Manager. Navigate to Events Manager and follow the prompts to create a new pixel. Access Ads Manager here.
2. Installing the Pixel Code
Once created, Facebook provides you with a base pixel code. This code needs to be installed on every page of your website. There are several ways to do this:
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<head>section of your website’s HTML. - Tag Management System: Use a tag management system like Google Tag Manager to deploy the pixel code.This is often the preferred method for easier management and updates. Google Tag Manager
- Platform Integrations: Many website platforms (like Shopify, WordPress with WooCommerce, and Squarespace) offer built-in integrations for the Facebook Pixel.
3. Verifying Pixel Installation
After installation, it’s crucial to verify that the pixel is firing correctly. Facebook provides tools within Ads Manager to check pixel activity. You can also use browser extensions like the Facebook Pixel helper to confirm that the pixel is active on your pages.
Standard and Custom Events
The Facebook Pixel tracks both standard events (predefined actions) and custom events (actions specific to your business).
Standard Events
Standard events are pre-defined actions that Facebook recognizes, such as:
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- ViewContent: A user views a specific product or content.
- AddToCart: A user adds an item to their shopping cart.
- InitiateCheckout: A user starts the checkout process.
- AddPaymentInfo: A user enters their payment information.