US Defense Secretary Denies Seeing Survivors Before Second Strike on Alleged Drug Boat

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has stated he did not observe any survivors following an initial military strike on a suspected drug-smuggling vessel in the Caribbean Sea on September 2, prior to a subsequent strike that has raised concerns about potential war crimes.

During a Cabinet meeting at the White House on Tuesday, Hegseth mentioned he watched the initial strike in real-time but did not witness the follow-up action. He explained that the scene was obscured by fire and smoke, referring to it as the "fog of war."

Hegseth emphasized that Admiral Frank Bradley, who led the mission, had full authority to conduct the second strike and made "the right call" to eliminate the perceived threat. He expressed full support for Bradley, describing him as "an American hero, a true professional."

The incident has prompted calls for an investigation into possible war crimes, with critics questioning the legality of targeting individuals who may have been incapacitated. The Pentagon's manual on the laws of war considers orders to fire on shipwreck survivors as "clearly illegal."

President Donald Trump stated he was unaware of the second strike and would not have supported it. He mentioned relying on Hegseth for information regarding the operation.

The U.S. has conducted multiple strikes on vessels in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific as part of a campaign against alleged drug traffickers, resulting in numerous fatalities. Legal experts and international bodies have raised concerns about the legality of these actions under international law.