Uploaded December 2025 | Updated September 2026, 12 hours ago
• U.S.-issued letters of marque do implicate the United States as a belligerent (even without a formal war declaration), because the privateers become authorized agents of the U.S. government.
• Repealing (or substantially loosening) the Neutrality Act of 1794 would allow American citizens to accept foreign-issued letters of marque—say, from a recognized anti-cartel government-in-exile, a legitimate opposition authority in Venezuela, or even a new “Free Latin America” revolutionary entity—and go after drug lords without dragging the U.S. into official hostilities.
• The Jean Lafitte example is perfect: he flew Cartagena’s colors, preyed on Spanish ships, operated from U.S. waters/territory, and the U.S. could plausibly deny responsibility because the commissions weren’t American. Spain grumbled, but it never amounted to war with the U.S.
• U.S.-issued letters of marque do implicate the United States as a belligerent (even without a formal war declaration), because the privateers become authorized agents of the U.S. government.
• Repealing (or substantially loosening) the Neutrality Act of 1794 would allow American citizens to accept foreign-issued letters of marque—say, from a recognized anti-cartel government-in-exile, a legitimate opposition authority in Venezuela, or even a new “Free Latin America” revolutionary entity—and go after drug lords without dragging the U.S. into official hostilities.
• The Jean Lafitte example is perfect: he flew Cartagena’s colors, preyed on Spanish ships, operated from U.S. waters/territory, and the U.S. could plausibly deny responsibility because the commissions weren’t American. Spain grumbled, but it never amounted to war with the U.S.
