Revelations of a potential war crime committed by the US military in the southern Caribbean have emerged, coinciding with the Trump administration’s intensifying threats against Venezuela. According to sources cited by the Washington Post, US Special Operations troops, under direct orders from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, executed a “double-tap” strike on a boat near Venezuela on September 2. The strike reportedly targeted a vessel carrying 11 individuals, resulting in a devastating blaze.
The incident, described by the Post, involved a missile launched from the Trinidad coast, which struck the vessel and caused it to ignite. Commanders reportedly watched the destruction via a live drone feed, witnessing two survivors clinging to the wreckage. An individual involved in the operation told the Post,
“The order [from Hegseth] was to kill everybody.”
This strike marked the beginning of a series of attacks that have sunk at least 22 boats and resulted in the deaths of 83 people from various countries, including Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, and Trinidad.
US Military Justification and Strategic Deployment
The Trump administration has defended these actions as a necessary measure against “narco-terrorists.” The pretext of the “war on drugs” has led to the deployment of a significant portion of US naval forces to the region, including the USS Gerald R. Ford, the world’s largest warship, and 15,000 sailors and Marines. This military presence is supported by advanced fighter jets stationed in Puerto Rico and B-52 bombers near Venezuelan airspace.
Despite the stated aim of deterring drug smuggling, the scale of the military deployment has raised questions about the true intentions behind these operations. President Trump recently announced plans to extend these strikes to land attacks and declared a no-fly zone over Venezuela via social media.
Allegations of Regime Change Motives
Critics argue that the campaign is less about drug interdiction and more about regime change in Caracas. The goal, they suggest, is to install a US-friendly government that would facilitate access to Venezuela’s vast oil reserves. The September 2 strike further highlights the alleged criminal methods employed to achieve these objectives.
According to reports, Special Operations commanders ordered a second missile strike to eliminate survivors of the initial attack. This action was reportedly taken under direct instruction from Hegseth, dubbed the “secretary of war” by the Trump administration. Adm. Frank “Mitch” Bradley, overseeing the operation, justified targeting the survivors by claiming they could alert other traffickers.
Legal and Ethical Concerns
The Former Judge Advocates General (JAGs) Working Group, composed of former military legal advisers, issued a statement in response to the Post article. They asserted that the orders to “kill everybody” and “double-tap” survivors are illegal under international law, potentially constituting war crimes.
If the US military operation to interdict and destroy suspected narcotrafficking vessels is a “non-international armed conflict,” as the Trump administration suggests, these orders are clearly illegal under international law. In short, they are war crimes.
The group emphasized that if the operation is not an armed conflict, those responsible could face prosecution under US law for murder.
Historical Parallels and Political Implications
This incident is not the first time a US administration has faced accusations of unlawful killings. Former President Obama was criticized for orchestrating drone assassinations, including of US citizens, while Trump ordered the 2020 assassination of Iranian official Qasem Soleimani.
However, the current policy’s scale and nature suggest a shift towards more aggressive tactics. The Trump administration’s actions are seen as part of a broader strategy to reverse declining US hegemony and counter China’s growing influence in South America.
Domestically, these foreign policy moves reflect a trend towards authoritarianism, with the administration employing dictatorial methods to suppress dissent and maintain control. The pardon of Honduran ex-President Juan Orlando Hernandez, convicted of drug trafficking, further undermines the administration’s stated anti-drug stance.
Conclusion and Future Outlook
The unfolding events in the Caribbean and Venezuela highlight the complex interplay of military strategy, international law, and political objectives. As tensions continue to rise, the international community and legal experts will closely scrutinize the US’s actions and their potential consequences.
Ultimately, the resolution of these issues will depend on diplomatic efforts, legal accountability, and the broader geopolitical landscape. The ongoing situation underscores the need for a unified approach to addressing international conflicts and upholding the rule of law.
