U.S. Lawmakers Demand Clarity on Controversial Boat Strikes

On September 2, 2023, a controversial military operation targeting a boat alleged to be transporting drugs off the coast of Trinidad resulted in the deaths of 11 individuals. Following this incident, top lawmakers from both parties in the United States Congress called for the release of video footage related to the attack, amid growing concerns about the legality of the operation and accusations against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.

During a closed briefing on Thursday, U.S. Navy Admiral Frank Bradley, who commanded the attack, and Dan Caine, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, presented lawmakers with details of the operation. The briefing, held before the House and Senate Armed Services and Intelligence Committees, revealed conflicting accounts regarding the orders given during the strike.

Jim Himes, the top Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee, described the content of the briefing as “one of the most troubling things I’ve seen in my time in public service.” He confirmed that Admiral Bradley stated there had been no order to “kill them all” or to grant “no quarter” to survivors. In contrast, Tom Cotton, the Republican chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee, defended the strikes as “righteous” and emphasized that Hegseth had not explicitly ordered that all individuals on board be executed.

The attack, characterized as the first in a series of military strikes aimed at curbing drug trafficking from Venezuela, has raised significant ethical and legal questions. Reports surfaced that Hegseth had verbally ordered the elimination of survivors before the bombing, leading to bipartisan scrutiny and allegations of potential war crimes.

As the details emerged, lawmakers expressed differing views on the implications of the video footage. Himes claimed to have witnessed “two individuals in clear distress, without any means of locomotion,” who were killed during the attack. He expressed concern that the U.S. military was targeting shipwrecked sailors. Conversely, Cotton described the survivors as attempting to right a capsized boat filled with drugs, suggesting they posed a continuing threat.

The operation has drawn criticism from various quarters, including legal experts and human rights organizations. Marcus Stanley, Director of the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft, stated that the air strikes may represent potential war crimes, given that the targets lacked any means of self-defense. He emphasized that the strikes constituted an extrajudicial act without any judicial oversight.

Additionally, Sarah Yager, Washington Director of Human Rights Watch, rejected the administration’s characterization of the operations as military actions within an armed conflict, asserting that there must be a declared war by Congress for such actions to be legally justified.

Following the briefing, Jack Reed, the top Democrat on the Senate Armed Services Committee, reiterated calls for the full video to be made public. He expressed deep concern over the nature of the military activities under the Trump administration, highlighting the need for transparency and accountability in the operations.

Former President Donald Trump has defended the military’s actions, asserting that those involved in the strikes were seeking to protect American lives. Hegseth, in response to accusations regarding the presence of survivors, stated that the situation was chaotic, citing “fire” and “smoke” that obscured visibility during the attack.

To date, a total of 83 individuals have reportedly been killed across 21 military strikes carried out between early September and mid-November. The ongoing campaign, portrayed by Trump as essential in combating the flow of illegal substances into the U.S., has met with mounting criticism from human rights advocates and legal experts.

In light of the allegations surrounding the attacks, some congressional Republicans have voiced their disapproval. Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina stated that if reports are verified showing that survivors were targeted, it would constitute a violation of ethical and legal principles.

As lawmakers deliberate on the implications of these operations, Senate Democrats have introduced plans for a war powers resolution that could potentially limit the air campaign, although previous attempts to pass similar measures have failed without bipartisan support.

Human Rights Watch continues to call for a thorough investigation into the entire campaign of strikes, emphasizing that any military action that results in the loss of life requires due process and oversight. The organization has urged Congress to fulfill its oversight responsibilities to ensure that military operations are conducted within legal and ethical boundaries.