Controversy Erupts Over Caribbean Drug Boat Strike

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth supports a controversial second strike on a suspected drug boat in the Caribbean. Though Hegseth was accused of directing a fatal second strike, he denies giving such an order. The strikes aim to curb illegal drug flow but have raised war crime concerns.

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has defended the decision to conduct a second strike on a drug boat in the Caribbean on September 2. Hegseth, speaking at the Reagan National Defense Forum, emphasized his full support for the action, which involved targeting survivors of an initial attack.

Following the strike, officials from President Donald Trump's administration stated that Hegseth did not directly order the second strike. Admiral Frank Bradley made the call, deeming the boat's wreckage as a potential cocaine threat. Hegseth confirmed viewing the first strike before attending another meeting, leaving details of the full video release under consideration.

The September 2 incident marks the first of 22 U.S. military operations aimed at countering drug trade in the Caribbean and Pacific, resulting in 87 deaths. However, concerns have been raised about potential war crimes, as footage shows two unarmed survivors of the attack. The Trump administration labels the strikes as war on drug cartels, highlighting the deadly impact of drugs entering the U.S.

(With inputs from agencies.)