US Defense Chief Pete Hegseth Under Fire After Second Strike on Caribbean Boat:

The incident happened on September 2 off the coast of Trinidad. According to the Trump administration, the operation was part of America’s ongoing effort to target drug-smuggling boats in the Caribbean Sea. After the first strike, officials confirmed that all 11 people on board had died. But the new AP report suggests this was not the full story. Sources told AP that after the initial strike, some people on the boat were still alive, clinging to floating debris in the water. Despite this, a follow-up strike was ordered, which reportedly killed the remaining survivors. This revelation has raised serious questions about who exactly ordered the second attack and whether proper rules were followed. Although it is still unclear who gave the final command, Pete Hegseth’s name has been mentioned because he leads the Pentagon. On Monday, the White House addressed the issue. Press secretary Karoline Leavitt stated that while Hegseth did authorize the overall mission, he was not the person who gave a “kill everybody” order. According to her, the follow-up strike was ordered by Admiral Frank Bradley, who she said acted “within his authority and the law.” Hegseth has strongly denied any wrongdoing. He responded to the accusations by calling them “fabricated, inflammatory, and derogatory.” In a post on X (formerly Twitter), he publicly defended Admiral Bradley, describing him as “an American hero, a true professional,” and stated that he gives Bradley his “100% support.” Since the September 2 strike, the United States has faced increasing international and domestic criticism. Reports from the Washington Post, based on internal documents, claim that the U.S. military has attacked at least 22 boats in the Caribbean and Pacific regions in the past few months, resulting in the deaths of more than 70 people. These strikes were all part of the administration’s aggressive approach to combating drug trafficking at sea. The Trump administration argues that these actions are justified under “self-defense,” saying that drug cartels pose a serious threat to the United States. However, lawmakers from both the Republican and Democratic parties have expressed deep concern. Many are now calling for a formal congressional review of all recent military strikes against suspected drug-smuggling boats. One of the major points of debate in Washington is whether the United States is actually in an “armed conflict” with drug cartels, as the Trump administration claims. Congress has not approved any authorization for the use of military force in this situation, which has intensified the controversy. Outside the United States, several Latin American countries have condemned the strikes. Venezuela, led by President Nicolás Maduro, has been especially vocal. The U.S. has repeatedly issued warnings against Venezuela, causing tension in the region. As questions continue to grow, pressure is rising on the Pentagon and the White House to explain the decision-making behind the September 2 operation. The calls for accountability are expected to increase as more details come to light.

NEWS