US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth has stated he did not personally see survivors before a deadly follow-up strike on an alleged drug boat in the Caribbean. An initial strike reportedly left two survivors clinging to the burning vessel, before a second strike was allegedly ordered that left them dead.
The 2 September strike has prompted concerns that US forces may have violated laws governing armed conflict. During a cabinet meeting at the White House, Hegseth attributed the strike to the fog of war in a chaotic situation. The White House has stated that a top US Navy admiral, Frank Bradley, authorized the second strike.
The Washington Post first reported details about the second strike, which has led to concern from both Democrat and Republican lawmakers.
Hegseth said he watched the first strike live but quickly moved on to another meeting. I did not personally see survivors, he said. That thing was on fire and it exploded... you can't see anything. This is called the fog of war. He added that he learned of Admiral Bradley's correct decision to sink the boat a couple of hours later and emphasized their support for Bradley.
President Trump defended Admiral Bradley while distancing himself from the decision to strike the vessel a second time, stating, we didn't know about the follow-on strike. He reiterated his stance on eliminating drug-smuggling boats.
Since the first strike, US military operations have expanded in the region, with over 80 people reported killed due to similar strikes. The Trump administration continues to defend these actions as necessary measures to protect American interests from drug trafficking.
Lawmakers from both sides have called for oversight of the incident, emphasizing adherence to international law, which forbids the intentional targeting of wounded combatants. Concerns remain about the implications of such military actions and the proper conduct of US forces in armed conflict.
