US lawmakers have initiated inquiries into the Trump administration's conduct of military strikes against suspected drug boats in the Caribbean, following reports alleging a second strike was ordered to eliminate survivors of an initial attack.
Congressional Scrutiny
Republican and Democrat-led committees overseeing the Pentagon have committed to "vigorous oversight" regarding these US boat strikes. The Washington Post reported on Friday that a US strike on a vessel on September 2 resulted in two survivors. It further alleged that a subsequent attack was executed, purportedly to fulfill a directive from Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth to "kill everybody" on board.
Official Responses
Secretary Hegseth has dismissed The Washington Post's report as "fake news," a stance supported by President Donald Trump, who stated his "100%" belief in Hegseth's denial.
Caribbean Operations Context
Parallel to these developments, the United States has expanded its military presence in the Caribbean region, conducting a series of strikes on vessels suspected of drug smuggling in international waters near Venezuela and Colombia. These operations are part of what the US describes as an anti-narcotics campaign, which has reportedly resulted in over 80 fatalities since early September. The Trump administration asserts these actions are undertaken in self-defense, aimed at intercepting illicit drug shipments bound for the US.
Legal Concerns Raised
Lawmakers from both parties have voiced support for congressional reviews. While acknowledging they could not verify The Washington Post's account, they emphasized the serious legal ramifications if attacking survivors of an initial missile strike were true. Senator Tim Kaine (Democrat) commented on CBS Face the Nation, stating, "This rises to the level of a war crime if it's true." Republican lawmaker Mike Turner, a former chairman of the Intelligence Committee, also told CBS that such an event would be "very serious" and an "illegal act," noting Congress currently lacks information confirming a follow-up strike occurred.