US Lawmakers Demand Clarification on Alleged Military Strikes Against Venezuelan Drug Boats

Sat Dec 20 2025 15:51:22 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

US lawmakers are increasing pressure on the Trump administration for clarity surrounding military strikes directed at Venezuelan drug trafficking vessels, amid claims of follow-up attacks that could violate international law.

In light of recent reports that suggest the US military conducted follow-up airstrikes on survivors of an initial attack on suspected drug boats in Venezuela, lawmakers from both parties are calling for rigorous oversight and may consider the actions a potential war crime. The Pentagon is under scrutiny following allegations that Defense Secretary Hegseth ordered a second strike, despite ongoing debates about legality under international law.

US lawmakers are pressing the Trump administration for answers about military strikes on suspected Venezuelan drug boats, after a report alleged that a follow-up strike was ordered to kill survivors of an initial attack.

Republican-led committees overseeing the Pentagon have vowed to conduct 'vigorous oversight' into the US boat strikes in the Caribbean, following the report.

On Friday, The Washington Post reported that a US strike on a boat on 2 September left two survivors, but that a second attack was carried out to comply with Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth's orders to 'kill everybody' on board - raising fresh legality questions.

Hegseth decried the report as 'fake news'.

On Sunday, US President Donald Trump said he believed his defence secretary '100%'.

In recent weeks, the US has expanded its military presence in the Caribbean and carried out a series of lethal strikes on suspected drug-smuggling boats in international waters off Venezuela and Colombia, as part of what it calls an anti-narcotics operation. More than 80 people have been killed since early September.

The Trump administration states it is acting in self-defence by destroying boats carrying illicit drugs to the US.

In a report on Friday, which has not been verified by the BBC, The Washington Post indicated Secretary Hegseth 'gave a spoken directive' to 'kill everybody' on board one such vessel, leading to significant legal questions.

Lawmakers from both parties have expressed support for congressional reviews of the boat strikes, with Democratic Senator Tim Kaine stating, 'This rises to the level of a war crime if it's true'. Republican lawmaker Mike Turner acknowledged that such actions would be serious and illegal.

In defense of the operations, Hegseth described accusations against him as 'fabricated' and insisted the strikes were lawful under both US and international law.

Venezuelan authorities condemned the strikes and promised their own investigation into the alleged attacks, while tensions between the US and Venezuela continue to rise amidst accusations of threats and hostilities.

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