Latin America

in the chain of command, down to the seaman that pushed the "fire" button that launches the missile ( or the pilot of the plane that launched the missile ) has some very good lawyers.

"just following orders" didn't cut for the Nazi's at Nuremberg, and it won't cut it for the Navy / Marines / Air Force / Army people doing it now.

We have zero jurisdiction in international waters. There is no declared war. These people, even if they are card carrying members of a drug cartel and have 1000 pounds of cocaine on board ( they aren't and they don't ) can be arrested by the coast guard and any evidence of crimes can be presented in court. Even if found guilty, running drugs is not a federal offense that results in execution.

Drug trafficking is the illegal transporting or transacting of controlled substances. Under federal law, Title 21, Section 841 makes it unlawful for any person to knowingly or intentionally “manufacture, distribute, or dispense, or possess with intent to manufacture, distribute, or dispense, a controlled substance.

First Offense: Not less than 5 years, and not more than 40 years. If death or serious injury, not less than 20 years or more than life. Fine of not more than $5 million if an individual, $25 million if not an individual. Second Offense: Not less than 10 years, and not more than life.

Trump can ask the Congress to amend to law to make it a capital offense but even then the people involved are to be arrested, presumed innocent until proven guilty, given competent legal representation and the evidence can be used to convict them by a jury.

What Trump and the entire chain of command is doing is completely illegal and everyone involved will be arrested and either turned over to the international court or tried here in federal court. Murder ( pre-meditated ) is the charge. Life without parole is the punishment. From Trump to Hegseth to the Branch secretary, the Chairman of the joint chiefs, the branch chief, the southern command to the admirals / generals to the commanders / captains... and down to the pilots or seaman that pushed a button... they are all guilty of murder.