Ask Onix
US Confirms Second Strike on Venezuelan Vessel Amid Legal Concerns
The White House acknowledged on Monday that a senior US Navy commander ordered a second airstrike on a suspected Venezuelan drug-smuggling boat on September 2, killing two survivors from the initial attack. The incident, described as a "double tap" strike, has triggered bipartisan scrutiny in Congress and renewed questions about the legality of such operations under international law.
According to a Washington Post report, two individuals survived the first explosion and were clinging to the burning vessel when the follow-up strike occurred. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth authorized the operation but denied allegations that he issued a direct order to "kill everybody" aboard. "Admiral (Frank) Bradley acted well within his authority and the law," Leavitt told reporters during a briefing.
Mounting Scrutiny Over Caribbean Anti-Drug Campaign
Since early September, US forces have conducted over 80 similar strikes in the Caribbean, targeting vessels allegedly linked to drug trafficking. Each operation has been accompanied by grainy video footage released by the Pentagon, though officials have provided little verifiable evidence of illicit cargo or the identities of those on board. The Trump administration maintains that such actions are justified as self-defense against narco-terrorist groups threatening US security.
Both Republican and Democratic lawmakers have expressed alarm over the September 2 incident. Senator Roger Wicker, chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, announced plans to interview Admiral Bradley and review audio and video records to "determine the facts." The House Armed Services Committee similarly pledged a bipartisan investigation into the operation's "intent and legality."
"President Trump and Secretary Hegseth have made clear that presidentially designated narco-terrorist groups are subject to lethal targeting in accordance with the laws of war."
Karoline Leavitt, White House Press Secretary
Legal Experts Question Compliance with International Law
Legal scholars and human rights advocates have cast doubt on whether the second strike complied with the Geneva Conventions, which prohibit targeting wounded or shipwrecked individuals. Under the conventions' rules for non-international armed conflicts-how the US classifies its Caribbean operations-combatants rendered unable to fight must be apprehended and provided medical care, not subjected to further attack.
The Trump administration's framing of the campaign as a "non-international armed conflict" has itself faced criticism. Experts note that drug trafficking, while a criminal enterprise, does not inherently meet the threshold for armed conflict under international humanitarian law. The Obama administration previously drew condemnation for its use of "double tap" drone strikes, which resulted in civilian casualties in counterterrorism operations.
Venezuela Condemns Strikes, Calls for Dialogue
Venezuela's National Assembly condemned the September 2 strikes and vowed a "rigorous and thorough investigation." Attorney General Tarek William Saab, in an interview with BBC Newsnight, accused the US of fabricating allegations to justify regional interference, citing "great envy" for Venezuela's natural resources. Saab called for direct US-Venezuela talks to "clear the toxic atmosphere" that has escalated since mid-2024.
Tensions flared further after President Trump confirmed a recent phone call with Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. According to The Miami Post and Reuters, Trump demanded Maduro's immediate resignation and exile, offering safe passage to a destination of his choice. Maduro reportedly sought amnesty for his aides and continued military control-a proposal Trump rejected. Following the call, Trump declared Venezuela's airspace "closed in its entirety" on social media.
Expanded Military Presence and Regional Fallout
The US has significantly increased its military footprint in the Caribbean in recent weeks, framing the buildup as part of an "anti-narcotics operation." On Thursday, Trump warned that efforts to disrupt Venezuelan drug trafficking "by land" would commence "very soon," though no details were provided.
Venezuela's government has repeatedly accused the US of using drug trafficking allegations as a pretext to destabilize the region and topple Maduro's administration. US officials, including Hegseth, have countered by labeling Maduro a member of the "Cartel of the Suns," an alleged network of high-ranking Venezuelan military and security officials involved in narcotics trafficking-a claim Maduro denies.
"Admiral Bradley is an American hero, a true professional, and has my 100% support. I stand by him and the combat decisions he has made-on the September 2 mission and all others since."
Pete Hegseth, US Defense Secretary, via Twitter
Congressional Oversight and Next Steps
The Joint Chiefs of Staff briefed both the House and Senate Armed Services Committees over the weekend, focusing on the "intent and legality" of the Caribbean missions. Lawmakers from both parties have signaled plans to subpoena operational records, including communications between commanders and the Pentagon, to assess whether the strikes violated military protocols or international law.
As scrutiny intensifies, the Trump administration faces growing pressure to provide transparency on the rules of engagement governing the Caribbean campaign-and whether the September 2 "double tap" strike crossed legal boundaries.
