The White House has moved to clarify the chain of command behind a controversial military strike in the Caribbean, explicitly distancing Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth from the decision to launch a second round of attacks on an alleged Venezuelan drug vessel.
Controversy Over "Kill Everybody" Order
This clarification follows a report by The Washington Post which alleged that a second strike on 2 September was ordered to eliminate two survivors from an initial attack. The report claimed this action was taken to comply with an order from Secretary Hegseth that "everyone be killed". The allegations immediately sparked accusations that the defence secretary may have ordered a potential war crime.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt directly addressed these claims yesterday. She confirmed that while Secretary Hegseth authorised the strikes, he did not issue any command to "kill everybody". Leavitt stated, "Secretary Hegseth authorised Admiral Bradley to conduct these kinetic strikes. Admiral Bradley worked well within his authority and the law directing the engagement to ensure the boat was destroyed and the threat to the United States of America was eliminated."
When pressed by journalists on whether the strike constituted a war crime, Leavitt defended the operation's legality. She emphasised it was "conducted in international waters and in accordance with the law of armed conflict".
Key Figures and Political Fallout
Secretary Hegseth himself has vehemently denied the allegations, labelling the recent reporting as "fake news". In a show of support, he took to social media to praise the commander directly involved, US Navy Vice Admiral Frank 'Mitch' Bradley. "Let's make one thing crystal clear: Admiral Mitch Bradley is an American hero, a true professional, and has my 100% support," Hegseth wrote. "I stand by him and the combat decisions he has made – on the September 2 mission and all others since."
Vice Admiral Bradley, who was commander of the Joint Special Operations Command at the time, is scheduled to provide a classified briefing to lawmakers on Thursday. This briefing is expected to offer more detailed insight into the events of that day.
The political repercussions are already unfolding. Both the Senate and House armed services committee chairs have announced probes into the incident. Details remain scarce regarding who or what was precisely on board the targeted vessel, adding to the controversy.
Broader Context of US Anti-Drug Operations
This incident is not isolated. Since September, US airstrikes have targeted boats allegedly involved in drug trafficking in the Caribbean Sea and the eastern Pacific Ocean. These operations have resulted in the deaths of at least 83 people.
However, the administration has faced criticism for not providing concrete evidence to substantiate the allegations behind these deadly missions. Furthermore, numerous legal and military experts have questioned the legality of such strikes, arguing they may violate international law, especially when conducted against non-state actors in international waters. The upcoming congressional investigations will likely scrutinise these broader operational protocols alongside the specific events of 2 September.
