U.S. Military Faces Scrutiny Over Deadly Boat Strikes Near Venezuela

URGENT UPDATE: Lawmakers are demanding immediate access to shocking video footage of recent U.S. military strikes against suspected drug vessels near Venezuela. Concerns are escalating over the legality of these operations and potential war crimes after reports surfaced that a U.S. Navy admiral ordered a second strike to eliminate survivors of a September 2 attack that left at least 11 people dead.

The U.S. Southern Command released video footage on Thursday showing a separate strike targeting a vessel linked to a “designated terrorist organization” in the eastern Pacific Ocean. This operation reportedly resulted in the death of four men. However, the situation surrounding the September 2 incident is particularly alarming. Witnesses claim that two survivors were seen clinging to an overturned boat, incapacitated and defenseless, before being obliterated by the subsequent strike.

Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi, D-Illinois, expressed grave concerns about the lack of transparency from the Trump administration regarding these operations. “Only a select few have been granted access to the full videos,” he stated. “This administration is selectively withholding vital information from Congress and the American public.”

The firestorm surrounding these strikes has drawn attention to the ongoing investigation into the September 2 incident. Adm. Frank “Mitch” Bradley testified behind closed doors on Capitol Hill regarding the event, with members of the House Intelligence Committee divided on the implications of the video footage. Senator Tom Cotton, Republican chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, claimed he found nothing disturbing about the strike, emphasizing the need to combat drug trafficking. In contrast, Senator Mark Warner, vice chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, found the video “very disturbing” but withheld further judgment until all information is available.

Legal experts are now weighing in, labeling these strikes potentially unlawful. Brian Finucane, a senior advisor for the International Crisis Group, stated, “The U.S. government is engaged in a killing spree at sea completely outside the law.” He cautioned that just because the Trump administration has designated certain actors as terrorists does not justify targeting them in this manner.

Former Drug Enforcement Administration agent Michael Gannon added that the military’s involvement marks a significant shift in operations against drug cartels, describing it as an “absolute game changer.”

Earlier this week, President Donald Trump pledged to release the full video of the September 2 strikes, but as of now, no timeline for this release has been set. The White House has stated that the Pentagon is collaborating with them on the next steps.

This developing situation highlights the critical intersection of military actions, legal standards, and human rights, raising urgent questions about accountability and oversight in U.S. operations abroad. As investigations proceed, the implications of these strikes will continue to unfold, potentially reshaping how the U.S. engages with drug trafficking and international law.

Stay tuned for more updates on this urgent issue as it develops.