In a recent incident that has sparked significant debate, two individuals who survived an early September U.S. attack on an alleged drug boat in the Caribbean were seen waving overhead before they were killed in a controversial second strike. This troubling information comes from two sources who were privy to a video presented to lawmakers this week. According to one source, the actions of the survivors could be interpreted as either a plea for help or an attempt to signal for the cessation of further attacks.
The U.S. military operation on September 2 was the first of over 20 attacks targeting vessels suspected of transporting narcotics under the Trump administration. While officials defend this campaign as a necessary measure to combat narcotics trafficking, critics argue that the legality of such actions is questionable. The military has reported that more than 80 individuals have lost their lives in these strikes, including 11 fatalities from the September 2 operation alone.
The operation has come under renewed scrutiny following a report last week indicating that the U.S. military conducted a follow-up strike on the same vessel, resulting in the deaths of two survivors from the initial attack. This has led to concerns among some Democrats and legal experts, who suggest that targeting shipwrecked survivors may amount to a war crime.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed the occurrence of a second strike but maintained that the action was both lawful and necessary to ensure the complete destruction of the vessel. Members of Congress were shown the video of the strikes—including the one that resulted in the deaths of the two survivors—during a closed-door session featuring testimony from the operation's commander, Adm. Mitch Bradley, and Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. Dan Caine.
Following the hearing, lawmakers expressed sharply contrasting interpretations of the footage. Democratic Representative Jim Himes from Connecticut described the sight of the survivors as deeply distressing, stating it was one of the most troubling things he had witnessed in his public service career. In stark contrast, Republican Senator Tom Cotton of Arkansas posited that the survivors were attempting to right a boat laden with drugs destined for the United States, concluding that the four strikes on September 2 were entirely lawful and necessary.
During the testimony, multiple lawmakers noted that Adm. Bradley indicated there was no directive from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to eliminate everyone onboard the vessel. This revelation adds another layer to the ongoing debate surrounding the legality and morality of U.S. military actions against alleged drug trafficking operations in the Caribbean.