Archive · 5 Dec 2025
US Investigates Alleged War Crime in Venezuela Boat Attack
The US military conducted a strike on a boat suspected of drug trafficking off the coast of Venezuela.
After the first strike, there were reports that survivors were killed in a second strike.
Some people, including members of Congress and human rights groups, say this might be a war crime.
The US government says the strikes are legal.
There is an investigation to find out what really happened and if any laws were broken.
The Defense Secretary, Pete Hegseth, is also being investigated for sharing sensitive information about a different military operation, which might have put soldiers in danger.
US military conducted strikes on a suspected drug trafficking vessel in the Caribbean, killing 11 people on board.
Reports suggest a second strike was ordered to kill survivors, which could be a war crime.
Human rights groups and legal experts question the legality of the strikes and the designation of drug cartels as armed groups.
Congress is investigating the incident, and the Defense Secretary is facing scrutiny for his role.
The US government defends the strikes as lawful and part of a campaign against drug traffickers.
- Who
- US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Admiral Frank Bradley
- What
- Alleged war crime involving the killing of survivors after a boat attack
- When
- September 2 and subsequent strikes
- Where
- Caribbean, off the coast of Venezuela
- Why
- Part of a campaign against suspected drug traffickers
- Date of Incident
- September 2
- Number of People on Board
- 11
- Number of Strikes Since September 2
- 21
- Number of People Killed
- More than 80
- Defense Secretary
- Pete Hegseth
- Admiral Overseeing Operation
- Frank Bradley
- Human Rights Groups' Stance
- Condemned the attacks as murder
- Legal Experts' Stance
- Drug cartels do not fit the accepted international definition of an armed group
