U.S. Administration Addresses Maritime Interdiction Strikes
The U.S. administration has defended its policy regarding strikes on small boats suspected of drug smuggling from South America to the U.S., which have resulted in fatalities. The policy has generated debate concerning command responsibility and the legality of using deadly force.
Command Accountability and Specific Incidents
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated on Tuesday that he authorized and observed the initial strikes of a September 2 incident. He indicated he did not observe subsequent strikes that killed two survivors on a burning boat. Hegseth attributed the order for these additional strikes to Adm. Frank M. Bradley, asserting that Bradley possessed full authority for the decision and that it was correct.
Representative Adam Smith (D), a ranking member of the House Armed Services Committee, criticized Hegseth's explanation of responsibility.
Legal Justifications and Criticisms
The Trump Justice Department provided Congress with a memorandum asserting that the U.S. is engaged in a non-international armed conflict with drug cartels, thereby considering the strikes compliant with the laws of war. Representative Smith described this legal justification as ambiguous.
Reports by The Washington Post detailed the September 2 incident, stating that two sets of strikes occurred and that survivors were visible during the second, fatal strikes. Hegseth initially denied the report but later confirmed its essential facts.
Military experts have indicated that, within a declared state of war, killing surrendering or helpless individuals could be considered a war crime. Sarah Yager, Washington Director for Human Rights Watch, characterized the acts as "murder" in the absence of an armed conflict, stating that such actions undermine international legal protections for civilians.
Administration's Defense and Related Concerns
President Trump and Secretary Hegseth publicly defended the strikes. Hegseth claimed targets were "narcoterrorists" but did not publicly provide evidence. President Trump stated that these efforts have saved lives.
Senator Rand Paul released information suggesting that 21% of Coast Guard interdictions for drug smuggling do not result in the discovery of drugs.
President Trump stated he was not involved in the details of the "second strike." However, Press Secretary Kingsley Wilson indicated earlier that the Secretary of Defense and the President direct these strikes.