Pentagon Reviews Second Strike Video on Alleged Drug Boat Amid Scrutiny and Lawmaker Demands
The U.S. Department of Defense is currently reviewing video footage of a controversial second strike on an alleged Venezuelan drug boat that occurred in the Caribbean Sea on September 2. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has declined to commit to immediately releasing the footage, stating, “We are reviewing it right now,” as lawmakers and the public await clarity on the incident’s legality and circumstances.
The incident involves two survivors who were climbing back onto the overturned hull of the boat after an initial U.S. missile strike destroyed their vessel. Video evidence reportedly shows these survivors waving, raising questions about whether they were attempting to surrender or were still considered threats. Shortly after, a follow-up strike killed the survivors, intensifying scrutiny of the U.S. military’s actions during the mission.
During a classified briefing on Capitol Hill, military officials showed lawmakers the video of the second strike. They testified that no direct kill order was issued by Defense Secretary Hegseth to eliminate everyone on board. Instead, the decision to conduct the second strike was made by Captain Bradley, the mission lead. Both Republican Sen. Tom Cotton and Democratic Rep. Jim Himes, who attended the briefing, affirmed that Bradley stated no explicit “no survivors” directive came from Hegseth.
This contrasts sharply with earlier media reports quoting anonymous sources that claimed Hegseth verbally ordered the killing of everyone aboard the vessel. The Pentagon and Hegseth have firmly denied these allegations. Meanwhile, President Donald Trump has expressed no objection to releasing any video the administration holds but acknowledged uncertainty about the footage’s contents.
Adding to the pressure, Democratic lawmakers have publicly demanded the immediate release of the video to the public, challenging what they call Trump’s “bluff” on transparency. They argue that releasing the footage is critical for accountability and to accurately assess the mission’s adherence to the laws of warfare.
Experts have raised legal concerns, noting that if the orders effectively mandated killing survivors, it would violate international military laws governing armed conflict. The Pentagon maintains that all actions taken during the strike were lawful and aligned with U.S. military protocols.
The controversy stems from the broader U.S. campaign against drug trafficking in the Caribbean and the strategic decision to neutralize vessels suspected of carrying contraband. The follow-up strike has sparked intense debate over the ethics and legality of such military actions and the transparency owed to Congress and the public.
As the review continues, the Pentagon has not announced a timeline for releasing the video publicly, leaving key questions about the strike unresolved. Lawmakers remain vigilant, with ongoing congressional investigations expected to probe the incident further and hold accountable those responsible for decisions in the mission.