Hegseth rejects claim that he called for no survivors in drug boat attack

Controversy Over Military Strikes in the Caribbean

On Friday, Army Secretary Pete Hegseth addressed allegations regarding a military operation that took place in September, where a drug-smuggling ship was attacked in the Caribbean. Reports suggest he ordered no survivors to be left after the first strike.

The Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC) allegedly ordered a second airstrike on September 2 targeting a speedboat with 11 members of the “Tren de Aragua narco-terrorists.” This followed the first attack, which reportedly left two individuals surviving on the wreckage, as noted by a prominent news outlet.

According to the claims, the directive for the second strike stemmed from Hegseth telling commanders to “kill everyone.”

Hegseth strongly disputed the report, labeling it as “fake news” aimed at undermining the military’s efforts to protect the homeland. He asserted that the operations against suspected narco-terrorists in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific are legal.

“These attacks are designed to be lethal and effective,” Hegseth emphasized, explaining the intent to combat drug trafficking and eliminate those posing threats to the American public.

The Pentagon supported Hegseth’s assertions, with a spokesman stating that the actions taken against narco-terrorists were legal, targeting designated terrorist organizations and essential to safeguard U.S. national interests.

Footage of the initial strike on September 2 has been shared, indicating it was just the first in a series of military actions aimed at suspected drug smugglers. Reports claimed that four missiles were ultimately fired at the vessel, resulting in casualties among the crew and the sinking of the ship.

JSOC purportedly communicated to both the White House and Congress that multiple strikes were necessary to prevent navigation hazards for other boats.

One observer expressed that public reaction would be one of horror if they saw the footage of the second attack. Following this incident, protocols were reportedly revised to prioritize the rescue of any survivors in the future.

Hegseth contended that the Trump administration maintained a hardline stance against narcotics trafficking, contrasting it with what he described as a more lenient approach taken by the Biden administration. He insisted that actions under “Operation Southern Spear” comply with both U.S. and international law.

In response to the unfolding situation, members of the Democratic Party pledged to investigate and pursue accountability for what they deemed “illegal orders.”

Rep. Seth Moulton criticized the notion that a single boat wreck could threaten maritime navigation, asserting that the killing of survivors was illegal. He warned of potential repercussions for those involved, possibly including charges of war crimes.

Rep. Eugene Vindman called for a Congressional investigation into the operations, insisting that unedited footage and recordings of commands must be made available to the public.

Additionally, Rep. Ted Lieu indicated that the legal justifications for the military actions did not permit a second attack on defenseless survivors, stating that if the reports were accurate, a war crime had indeed been committed.