White House Confirms Second Attack on Suspected Drug Smugglers

In the context of the Trump administration’s efforts to tackle drug trafficking into the U.S., the White House has acknowledged and defended a second strike against potential drug smugglers in the Caribbean that occurred in September.

This statement followed a report from the Washington Post detailing that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth had allegedly given orders to eliminate the entire crew of a suspect drug vessel during an attack on September 2, which has raised concerns among legislators eager for greater oversight of such military actions. The report also mentioned that a subsequent strike was executed to deal with any survivors still on the boat.

While the Pentagon pushed back against these claims, White House press secretary Caroline Leavitt confirmed the occurrence of the second attack, asserting that the September 2 operation was conducted in “self-defense” and complied with international laws of armed conflict.

Hegseth stated that the U.S. military had executed another operation in the Eastern Pacific targeting alleged drug traffickers. Leavitt remarked on Monday that the second strike had been authorized by Hegseth and directed by Admiral Frank “Mitch” Bradley, who was then leading the Joint Special Operations Command.

“On September 2nd, Secretary Hegseth granted Admiral Bradley the authority to carry out these strikes,” Levitt stated, adding that Bradley acted within his legal rights to eliminate the threat posed by the vessel.

However, when pressed on whether Bradley had specifically ordered the second strike considering survivors from the first, Levitt affirmed his authority but did not confirm or deny the specifics of those orders.

Moreover, Leavitt contested claims that Hegseth had directed that all individuals on board be killed. “I deny that the Secretary of the Army ever said that,” she stated. “The president has made it clear that if narco-terrorists attempt to traffic drugs into the U.S. again, he retains the authority to respond accordingly.”

The Pentagon’s statements seem to contradict the White House’s narrative. A Pentagon spokesperson firmly denied the Post’s coverage, labeling it as false and a product of fabricated stories based on anonymous sources. The Pentagon has not yet provided further comments regarding this matter.

This chain of events has prompted bipartisan calls for additional scrutiny, with lawmakers expressing a commitment to oversight regarding military actions in the Caribbean. Rep. Mike Rogers (R-Ala.) and Rep. Adam Smith (D-Wash.), leaders on the House Armed Services Committee, emphasized the importance of understanding operations focused on vessels allegedly transporting narcotics within this region.

Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) has also pushed for a thorough investigation, suggesting that Hegseth needs to offer clear answers to the American public.

The Trump administration has launched over 20 airstrikes aimed at suspected drug trafficking vessels in Latin American waters while augmenting its military footprint in the Caribbean, aligning with the president’s objectives to mitigate drug flows into the U.S. Additionally, the White House indicated that President Trump will meet later to discuss potential future actions concerning Venezuela.