U.S. lawmakers are seeking clarification from the Trump administration regarding military strikes on suspected Venezuelan drug boats. Reports have emerged that a follow-up strike was ordered to eliminate survivors of an initial attack. Republican-led committees that oversee the Pentagon have pledged to conduct thorough investigations into these operations.
According to a report by The Washington Post, a U.S. strike on September 2 resulted in two survivors, after which Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth allegedly directed a second attack to “kill everybody” aboard the vessel. Hegseth has dismissed this report as “fake news,” which President Trump supported, expressing complete confidence in Hegseth’s statements.
The U.S. has increased its military presence in the Caribbean, performing numerous lethal strikes against suspected drug-smuggling vessels in international waters off Venezuela and Colombia. The Trump administration argues these actions are self-defensive measures aimed at stopping drug trafficking to the U.S. Since early September, more than 80 individuals have reportedly been killed in these operations.
Both Republican and Democratic lawmakers have expressed support for congressional inquiries into the military actions, emphasizing potential legal implications of attacking survivors of initial strikes. Senator Tim Kaine noted that if the reports are accurate, they could constitute a war crime. Republican Mike Turner added that Congress lacks confirmation of a second strike, yet emphasized that such an action would be serious and possibly illegal.
The Senate Armed Services Committee has announced plans for “vigorous oversight” regarding these reports. In a joint statement, committee leaders indicated they are aware of the allegations and are initiating inquiries. They aim to gather detailed information about the strikes in question.
Venezuela’s National Assembly has condemned the U.S. strikes and pledged to investigate the claims surrounding the second attack. The Venezuelan government has accused the U.S. of escalating tensions aimed at destabilizing the current administration. Although the U.S. is not a signatory to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, military legal advisors have previously indicated that U.S. actions should align with the convention’s guidelines, which generally disallow interference with vessels in international waters except under specific circumstances.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cp8zyp988zvo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss