As lawmakers debate the legality of a United States military strike against an alleged drug smuggling boat, the operation is indisputably being viewed as a show of American strength geared toward cartels and the Venezuelan government.

Democrats and Republicans are divided, largely along party lines, over President Donald Trump’s decision to blow up a boat with alleged Tren de Aragua gang members on board earlier this week. However, policy analysts and lawmakers agreed that the attack was meant to send a message as the president seeks to make good on his promise to end a drug epidemic in the United States.