Members of Congress from both parties signaled support for formal investigations into a reported U.S. military attack in the Caribbean.. The Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth allegedly issued a verbal order to kill all crew members aboard a suspected drug-smuggling vessel. Lawmakers emphasized that they do not yet know whether the allegation is true, but they warned that intentionally targeting survivors of an initial strike would raise severe legal and moral questions.
Sen. Tim Kaine underscored the gravity of the claim. He noted that “this rises to the level of a war crime if it’s true.” Rep. Mike Turner said Congress has no evidence that a follow-up strike occurred but acknowledged the seriousness of the allegation, adding that if it happened, “that would be an illegal act.”
Escalating Tensions in Regional Operations
The controversy unfolds as the administration intensifies its military campaign against alleged drug-smuggling networks in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific. Operations that U.S. officials say are tied to groups controlled by Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. President Trump also confirmed he recently spoke with Maduro and is still considering possible strikes on Venezuelan territory. A move that has provoked accusations from Caracas of a “colonial threat.”
Hegseth rejected the report as fabricated, insisting the operations “are lawful under both U.S. and international law,” and Trump said he believes Hegseth’s denial. Still, bipartisan leadership across the House and Senate Armed Services Committees announced rigorous oversight efforts to determine what occurred during the Sept. 2 operation.
Some Republicans, including Rep. Don Bacon, expressed skepticism that Hegseth would give an order to kill incapacitated survivors, framing the alleged command as something that defies “common sense.” Yet lawmakers broadly agreed that transparency is essential. Hence, multiple investigations are now underway to clarify the facts behind the strike. the chain of command, and the legality of U.S. actions in the region.
Reference
Freking, K. (2025, November 30). Lawmakers voice support for congressional reviews of US strikes on boats | AP News. AP News. https://apnews.com/article/military-strikes-boats-drugs-caribbean-hegseth-congress-93c513e28f38688f5582150c7675c072