UPDATE: A bipartisan group of lawmakers is calling for an urgent congressional review of U.S. military strikes on vessels suspected of drug smuggling in the Caribbean Sea and eastern Pacific Ocean. This comes in response to alarming allegations that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth issued a verbal order to kill all crew members during a strike on September 2.
The investigation stems from a Washington Post report claiming that Hegseth’s order could classify the follow-up actions as potential war crimes. “This rises to the level of a war crime if it’s true,” stated Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA) during a recent appearance on CBS’ “Face the Nation.”
Lawmakers, including Representative Mike Turner (R-OH), expressed skepticism regarding the validity of the report but emphasized the serious legal implications of targeting survivors after an initial missile strike. Turner noted, “Obviously, if that occurred, that would be very serious and I agree that that would be an illegal act.”
The comments come amid a heightened campaign by the Trump administration to combat drug trafficking into the U.S. On Saturday, President Donald Trump announced that the airspace over Venezuela should be considered “closed in its entirety,” escalating tensions with Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, who accused Trump of making a “colonial threat.”
In light of the allegations, the chairmen of the Armed Services Committees in both the House and Senate, Mike Rogers (R-AL) and Jack Reed (D-RI), issued a joint statement committing to “vigorous oversight” of the military operations in question. They stressed the need for a full accounting of the operations and confirmed that investigations are already underway.
Hegseth responded to the claims on social media, dismissing the report as “fake news” and asserting that all military operations in the Caribbean comply with U.S. and international law. He stated, “Our current operations… are lawful under both U.S. and international law, with all actions in compliance with the law of armed conflict.”
Representative Don Bacon (R-NE) also chimed in, suggesting that Hegseth should have the opportunity to present his side of the story, emphasizing the importance of seeking the truth: “I don’t think he would be foolish enough to make this decision to say, kill everybody, kill the survivors because that’s a clear violation of the law of war.”
As investigations continue, the implications of these military actions raise urgent questions about U.S. military engagement and accountability. Lawmakers are now pushing for immediate transparency and a thorough examination of the circumstances surrounding the September 2 attack.
Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story as Congress navigates the complex legal and ethical issues surrounding military operations in the region.
