The White House has confirmed that a senior US Navy admiral authorized a second strike on a vessel suspected of narcotics trafficking off the coast of Venezuela, raising significant legal and ethical questions.
The incident, known as a “double tap” strike, occurred on September 2 and has drawn attention from lawmakers on both sides of the political spectrum. Reports indicate that two individuals survived the initial strike but were subsequently killed in the follow-up attack, prompting scrutiny regarding the legality of the operation.
“Admiral (Frank) Bradley worked well within his authority and the law,” stated White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt.
Leavitt further clarified that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth authorized the strikes, but did not issue an order intended to result in mass casualties. This clarification comes amid bipartisan concerns about the military’s engagement methods in the Caribbean, particularly as more than 80 lives have been lost in similar operations since early September.
Military operations and bipartisan scrutiny
The US administration claims its actions are in self-defense, targeting vessels believed to be transporting illegal drugs to the United States. Both Republican and Democratic lawmakers have expressed unease over the circumstances surrounding the September 2 incident and are pursuing an extensive review of military policies regarding such strikes.
Leavitt emphasized, “President (Donald) Trump and Secretary Hegseth have made it clear that presidentially designated narco-terrorist groups are subject to lethal targeting in accordance with the laws of war.” However, she refrained from confirming details about the survivors of the initial strike or the intentions behind the subsequent attack.
In response to media reports suggesting that Hegseth had ordered the death of everyone on board during the September 2 strike, Hegseth labeled such claims as “fabricated, inflammatory, and derogatory.” Demonstrating his support for Admiral Bradley, he remarked that the admiral is “an American hero, a true professional, and has my 100% support.”
International law implications
As the US military increases its presence in the Caribbean, part of a broader anti-narcotics operation, international law experts are raising concerns about the legality of the strikes. Questions have emerged regarding the protections that should be afforded to shipwrecked individuals or those rendered incapable of fighting. The rules of engagement outlined in the Geneva Conventions prohibit targeting such individuals, instead dictating that they should be apprehended and provided medical assistance.
The Trump administration characterizes its operations in the Caribbean as a non-international armed conflict, complicating the legal landscape surrounding these military actions. Critics point to past incidents during the Obama administration, where similar drone strike practices led to civilian casualties, as a precedent for current concerns.
In a related response, Venezuela’s National Assembly condemned the boat strikes, pledging to conduct a thorough investigation into the events of September 2. The Venezuelan government has accused the United States of escalating tensions in the region, claiming that the US aims to destabilize the Venezuelan government.
Venezuelan Attorney General Tarek William Saab criticized US motives, attributing them to “great envy” of Venezuela’s natural resources. He urged for dialogue between the US and Venezuelan governments to alleviate the rising tensions that have characterized their relationship since mid-2022.
In a noteworthy exchange, Trump confirmed that he had spoken with Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, urging him to resign and leave the country. Reports indicate that Trump offered Maduro the option to depart immediately to a destination of his choosing, but Maduro declined the offer, leading Trump to assert that Venezuelan airspace should be deemed “closed in its entirety.”
US officials have labeled Maduro as part of a “terrorist” organization known as the Cartel of the Suns, which allegedly includes high-ranking Venezuelan officials involved in drug trafficking. Maduro has denied these allegations. As the situation unfolds, both the House and Senate Armed Services Committees have indicated they will pursue a bipartisan investigation into the legality and intent of these military operations.