Topic: Southcom

Senator Tim Kaine has raised concerns that the administration's drug interdiction strikes in international waters may constitute war crimes. Kaine noted that the UK has stopped sharing intelligence with the U.S. in this area due to legal concerns. He called for Congress to rein in the president's authority to wage war without constitutional oversight.

Alex E.B. Trap, a producer in Colombia, provides a "boots on the ground" report from the Venezuelan border. He notes an increased U.S. military presence in Cúcuta following a SouthCom announcement. The report describes how Colombian cities are refusing aid to Venezuelan refugees, prompting many to return to Venezuela at the call of Nicolás Maduro.

Amnesty International and Democracy Now! criticize General John Kelly's record as head of U.S. Southern Command. Concerns focus on his oversight of the Guantanamo Bay detention facility during hunger strikes and his advocacy for the militarization of the U.S.-Mexico border.

Reports indicate that the US Southern Command (Southcom) was conducting a disaster relief drill for a Haitian hurricane scenario the day before the actual earthquake struck. This coincidence is compared to similar drills held during 9/11 and the 7/7 London bombings. Additionally, the discovery of massive oil reserves in Haiti is discussed as a potential motive for US involvement.

The massive earthquake in Haiti is discussed alongside the rapid mobilization of the US Southern Command (Southcom). The hosts find it suspicious that General P.K. Keane was in Haiti when the quake struck and that the US military response was faster than during Hurricane Katrina. They also mention Pat Robertson's controversial claim that Haiti is cursed due to a "pact with the devil."