U.S. Faces Growing Scrutiny Over Alleged Second Strike on Venezuelan Boat
There is growing pressure in Washington this morning for answers about U.S. military boat strikes off the coast of Venezuela that targeted suspected drug traffickers.
(NBC )- There is growing pressure in Washington this morning for answers about U.S. military boat strikes off the coast of Venezuela that targeted suspected drug traffickers. New reporting alleges the Pentagon carried out a second strike on a vessel to kill survivors of an earlier attack — prompting bipartisan concern.
President Trump is standing by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth as questions mount.
“Pete said that didn’t happen. I have great confidence in him,” the president said.
A U.S. official and a separate source familiar with the operation tell NBC News the incident took place on September 2nd. The Washington Post first reported that the second strike occurred because Secretary Hegseth allegedly ordered all individuals on board to be killed.
President Trump said he opposes such an action. “We’ll look into it. But no, I wouldn’t have wanted that — not a second strike.”
Critics on Capitol Hill say the allegation is serious.
“This rises to the level of a war crime, if it’s true,” said Senator Tim Kaine, noting lawmakers have been asking for evidence that the people on board were actually drug traffickers.
Republican leaders of the House and Senate Armed Services Committees have now launched inquiries, promising “rigorous oversight.”
“If that occurred, that would be very serious… an illegal act,” said Rep. Mike Turner.
Rep. Don Bacon added, “When people want to surrender, you don’t kill them.”
The Homeland Security Secretary disputes the account, while Secretary Hegseth posted that U.S. operations in the Caribbean “are lawful.” Attorney General Pam Bondi defended the administration’s tough approach, saying drug traffickers are “narco-terrorists.”
The U.S. boat strikes have killed more than 80 people in recent months as part of the Trump administration’s intensified anti-cartel campaign.
