In a significant development, US lawmakers are pressing the Trump administration for detailed answers regarding military strikes on suspected Venezuelan drug boats. This demand follows alarming reports indicating that a follow-up strike was ordered to eliminate survivors from an initial attack. Republican-led committees overseeing the Pentagon are committed to conducting rigorous oversight regarding these US boat strikes in the Caribbean.
On September 2, a US strike targeted a vessel, leaving two survivors. However, according to a report by The Washington Post, a second attack was subsequently ordered by Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, which aimed to kill everyone on board. Hegseth has publicly dismissed the report as "fake news," while President Donald Trump expressed his full support for Hegseth, stating, "I believe him 100%."
The US has notably expanded its military presence in the Caribbean, executing a series of lethal strikes aimed at suspected drug-smuggling operations in international waters off the coasts of Venezuela and Colombia. This initiative is part of what the Trump administration describes as an anti-narcotics operation. Since early September, more than 80 individuals have reportedly lost their lives in these operations.
In response to the allegations, both Republican and Democrat lawmakers have voiced their support for congressional reviews of the military strikes targeting vessels suspected of drug smuggling. They acknowledged their uncertainty regarding the veracity of The Washington Post report but emphasized that attacking survivors of an initial missile strike raises profound legal concerns. Democrat Senator Tim Kaine stated on CBS's Face the Nation, "This rises to the level of a war crime if it's true." Republican lawmaker Mike Turner echoed this sentiment, asserting that if the follow-up strike did occur, it would be deemed a serious and illegal act.
The Republican-led Senate Armed Services Committee announced plans for vigorous oversight regarding the strikes. In a joint statement, the committee's Republican chair, Senator Roger Wicker, and his Democrat counterpart, Senator Jack Reed, acknowledged awareness of recent reports and indicated that inquiries had been directed to the Department of Defense. They committed to conducting thorough oversight to ascertain the facts surrounding these military actions.
Similarly, the House Armed Services Committee is taking bipartisan action to ensure a complete accounting of the operations in question. This unified approach underscores the seriousness with which lawmakers are treating the allegations surrounding the military strikes.
In a post on social media platform X, Hegseth vehemently denied the accusations, labeling them as fabricated, inflammatory, and derogatory. He asserted that the series of strikes were lawful under both US and international law, claiming that every trafficker killed is connected to a Designated Terrorist Organization.
During a press briefing aboard Air Force One, President Trump defended his defence secretary, asserting that Hegseth did not issue the controversial directive and reiterated his unwavering support for him. Trump stated that the administration would investigate the matter and added, "I wouldn't have wanted that - not a second strike."
In the wake of these events, Venezuela's National Assembly has condemned the boat strikes and pledged to conduct a thorough investigation into the allegations surrounding the second attack that purportedly resulted in the deaths of two survivors. The Venezuelan government has accused the US of escalating tensions in the region with the aim of destabilizing their government.
While the US is not a signatory to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, military legal advisors have previously indicated that US actions should align with its provisions. Under this convention, countries are generally prohibited from interfering with vessels operating in international waters, with limited exceptions allowing for the seizure of ships under specific circumstances, such as hot pursuit. According to Professor Luke Moffett from Queens University Belfast, the use of force should primarily involve non-lethal measures unless absolutely necessary.
The unfolding situation highlights the complex interplay between national security, international law, and ethical considerations in military operations. As lawmakers push for transparency, the implications of these actions will likely resonate far beyond the Caribbean, affecting US foreign relations and military policy.