US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has stated he did not personally see survivors before a deadly follow-up strike on an alleged drug boat in the Caribbean.
An initial strike reportedly left two survivors clinging to the burning vessel, before a second strike was allegedly ordered that left them dead.
The 2 September strike has prompted concerns that US forces may have violated laws governing armed conflict.
During a cabinet meeting at the White House, Hegseth attributed the strike to the fog of war in a chaotic situation. The White House has characterized the authority for the second strike as coming from a top US Navy admiral, Frank Bradley.
The Washington Post first reported details about the second strike, which has drawn scrutiny from both Democratic and Republican lawmakers. Hegseth revealed that he witnessed the first strike live but did not see what transpired at the vessel afterward.
He defended Admiral Bradley’s decision to conduct the second strike, supporting him amidst concerns about the legality of the action, which may contravene the Geneva Convention's provisions on targeting wounded combatants.
The Trump administration has faced bipartisan scrutiny and is under pressure to clarify military operations that have resulted in the loss of many lives in pursuit of drug trafficking interdiction.
Since the 2 September incident, the US military's presence in the area has increased, and President Trump has promised to intensify action against suspected drug operations.
