Senator Mike Lee Proposes Using Privateers to Fight Drug Cartels

A United States Senator has proposed a novel strategy in the fight against drug trafficking. Senator Mike Lee of Utah introduced new legislation this week. His bill seeks to revive the 18th-century concept of “privateers.” These state-sanctioned pirates would target cartel operations.

The move aligns with the Trump administration’s recent aggressive stance. It has sparked immediate controversy over its legality and practicality. Legal experts and former officials have raised serious concerns. They question both its constitutionality and its alignment with modern international law.

Legal and Historical Precedent Under Scrutiny

The proposed “Cartel Marque and Reprisal Reauthorization Act” taps an obscure constitutional power. Article I allows Congress to issue “Letters of Marque and Reprisal.” Historically, this authorized private ships to attack enemy vessels during war. Senator Lee explicitly called the authorized individuals “pirates.”

According to Reuters, the practice was largely banned globally in 1856. The Paris Declaration abolished privateering. The United States never formally ratified it but abides by its principles. This makes the modern application legally fraught.

Critics argue it would outsource military action to unaccountable actors. This could lead to significant human rights abuses. It also risks violating international laws that the U.S. currently follows.

A Policy Out of Step with Modern Realities

The proposal appears disconnected from current drug trade dynamics. Officials cite fentanyl as a justification for the policy. However, the primary focus is Venezuelan cartels, which are major cocaine suppliers to Europe, not fentanyl sources to the U.S. This mismatch reveals a flawed premise.

Furthermore, the Trump administration’s commitment is questionable. It recently pardoned a major drug trafficker. This contradiction undermines the stated goal of the policy. The plan seems more symbolic than strategic.

Analysts see it as a dramatic gesture with little practical benefit. It could destabilize regions and complicate diplomatic relations. The potential for violent incidents involving private citizens is high.

This push to deploy privateers marks a radical shift in U.S. counternarcotics policy. Its revival faces steep legal and ethical hurdles. The concept of state-sanctioned piracy is likely to remain a historical footnote, not a modern solution.

Thought you’d like to know

What exactly is a “privateer”?

A privateer was a private person or ship authorized by a government to attack foreign vessels during wartime. They were essentially legalized pirates operating with a state’s permission to capture enemy cargo and ships.

Is privateering legal today?

No. The practice was outlawed for most nations by the 1856 Paris Declaration. While the U.S. did not sign it, it treats the ban as binding customary international law, making Lee’s proposal a direct challenge to long-standing norms.

Who supports this idea?

The bill has attracted support from figures like Erik Prince, founder of the Blackwater military contractor. Proponents argue it provides a flexible, cost-effective way to combat cartels without direct U.S. military involvement.

What are the biggest risks?

The risks are severe. They include potential war crimes, violations of international law, and triggering broader regional conflict. Unleashing armed, private groups with minimal oversight could lead to uncontrollable violence and atrocities.

Has Senator Lee proposed this before?

Yes. According to Associated Press reporting, Lee has floated similar ideas periodically for years. It often garners attention from certain political circles but has never gained serious legislative traction until now.