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US Military Strikes on Venezuelan Drug Boat
The US Navy carried out a second round of strikes on a Venezuelan drug boat on 2 September, which has sparked growing bipartisan scrutiny and legal questions regarding the operation.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed the strikes, with Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth authorising the action. However, the strike has raised fresh concerns following reports that two individuals survived the first attack and were still clinging to the burning vessel when they were killed in the second strike. Lawmakers, both Republican and Democrat, have raised doubts about the legality of these actions, with some calling for a congressional review of the strikes.
Leavitt defended the actions, stating that Admiral Frank Bradley, who ordered the second strike, worked within his authority and followed the law. Despite this, some lawmakers have expressed concern over the so-called “double-tap” strike, with critics arguing that it violated the laws of armed conflict, which prohibit targeting individuals who have been incapacitated or rendered unable to continue fighting.
More than 80 individuals have been killed in a series of similar strikes since early September. Still, the US has provided little evidence to support its claims of drug trafficking, with no clear information on who was on board the vessels targeted. The Trump administration maintains that these actions are in self-defence, aiming to disrupt drug trafficking operations.
Read also: Trump Intensifies Threats Against Venezuela, Raising Concerns Over Military Action
The strikes have provoked responses from both US officials and international observers. Republican Senator Roger Wicker, chair of the Senate Armed Services Committee, has vowed to conduct a full investigation into the operation, calling for interviews with military officials and a review of any available video and audio evidence. The House Armed Services Committee also announced its plans for bipartisan oversight of the military’s actions.
Internationally, Venezuela’s National Assembly condemned the strikes and vowed to conduct a thorough investigation into the attack. Venezuelan Attorney General Tarek William Saab accused the US of trying to destabilise the Venezuelan government, suggesting that the US’s motives are driven by “envy” for the country’s natural resources. Saab also called for direct dialogue between the US and Venezuela to ease tensions.
Amid these tensions, Trump confirmed he had spoken with Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in a phone call, during which he pressured Maduro to resign and leave the country. According to reports, Trump offered Maduro the option to leave with his family, but only if he stepped down immediately. Maduro reportedly rejected the offer, requesting amnesty for his top aides and continued control of the military. Trump reportedly refused both demands.
As the US intensifies its operations against Venezuela, the international community and US lawmakers continue to grapple with the legal and moral implications of such military actions.
