This is an issue that creates animosity against the USA worldwide. If the USA affirms the right of one country to attack another based on a dislike of a government, it would justify 9/11. After all that is what Al Quaeda did. The rule of Law is not perfect, but is the best humanity has come up with.
I'm not so sure the rule of law has ever worked that well except for controlling those of modest resources. My humble observations are that when whenever powerful entities are involved, they have resources to circumvent law by using dozens of maneuvers. Circumvention of law by the powerful, has always been there in stealth mode, but is now is openly pronounced and executed with braggadocio. It's even happening with the powerful attacking their own citizens they dislike, where no laws have been broken, using the military, as well as against other countries, whether they deserve it or not without proof.
Perhaps,..... but what is a ship, using false papers, running prohibited goods, to a internationally sanctioned country? Smuggler? Pirate? The countries you listed are tacitly supporting the lawless shadow fleets...They cannot escort those ships without very publicly exposing their undeniable involvement to the whole international community (not that that would matter in some cases).
What drugs are we talking about...Cocaine? Most coca is grown in leftist rebel controlled territory of Columbia, Peru, and Bolivia. Heroin? Most opium is from the failed states of Myanmar/Golden Triangle and Afghanistan. Fentanyl? Companies in China, North Korea, and increasingly India are the primary global suppliers of the unregulated or diverted precursor chemicals needed to synthesize fentanyl. These chemicals are often sold online and shipped through various means, including commercial cargo and mail, to Mexico.
