Pentagon Chief Pete Hegseth Defends Controversial 'Narco Boat' Strikes Amid War Crime Allegations
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has emphatically declared that America's campaign against alleged drug-trafficking vessels is "only just begun," despite a chorus of criticism regarding the use of lethal force and accusations of potential war crimes. Speaking during a December 2 Cabinet meeting alongside President Donald Trump, Hegseth defended the strikes, asserting their necessity in combatting "narco-terrorists" who "poison the American people."
Controversial Strikes and Legal Scrutiny
The Trump administration and Hegseth have faced intense scrutiny, particularly following a September 2 incident where U.S. forces reportedly launched a second strike on the wreckage of an already hit vessel, allegedly killing two survivors. This action has sparked outrage among some lawmakers, who contend it could constitute a war crime.
Pentagon's Defense and Blame Attribution
Both the White House and the Pentagon have sought to deflect blame from Secretary Hegseth for the controversial re-strike. Pentagon press secretary Kingsley Wilson clarified that Admiral Frank Bradley, now leading U.S. Special Operations Command, made the "decision to re-strike the narco-terrorist vessel." Wilson maintained that Bradley operated "under clear and long-standing authorities to ensure the boat was destroyed," adding that Hegseth "100 per cent agrees with" such follow-on strikes.
Wilson also affirmed the legality of the operations, stating they comply with "both US and international law" and "the law of armed conflict." Hegseth himself noted a recent "pause" in strikes, attributing it to the success of deterrence, making it "hard to find boats to strike right now."
Contradiction with Law of War Manual and Political Backlash
However, the Pentagon's own Law of War Manual explicitly states that "orders to fire upon the shipwrecked would be clearly illegal," directly contradicting the reported actions of September 2. Democratic Senators Jacky Rosen and Chris Van Hollen have publicly voiced concerns that the incident may indeed be a war crime, while Senator Chris Murphy accused Mr. Hegseth of "passing the buck."
Regional Tensions and Venezuelan Accusations
The administration, considering itself at war with "narco-terrorists," initiated these strikes in early September, a campaign that has reportedly resulted in over 80 fatalities. President Trump has deployed significant military assets, including the world’s largest aircraft, to the Caribbean, ostensibly for counter-narcotics operations.
These military maneuvers and strikes have exacerbated regional tensions. Venezuela’s leader, Nicolas Maduro, has accused Washington of using drug trafficking as a pretext for "imposing regime change" in Caracas. Maduro, whose 2024 re-election was deemed fraudulent by Washington, maintains that Venezuela is merely an involuntary transit route for Colombian cocaine and does not cultivate drugs itself. The ongoing situation highlights a complex interplay of national security, international law, and regional politics.
