Archive · 3 Dec 2025
US Admiral Orders Second Strike on Venezuelan Boat Survivors
A US admiral named Frank Bradley, who works under Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, ordered a second attack on survivors of an initial missile strike on a boat suspected of carrying drugs.
The White House confirmed this happened and said the admiral was following the rules.
Earlier, Hegseth had called reports of this second strike 'fake news', but the White House later confirmed it was true.
The second strike was on people who survived the first attack.
Some people are upset because they think the second strike might not be allowed by international law.
The President said he didn't know about the second strike.
Hegseth said it was hard to see because of the smoke and fire, and he trusted the admiral to make the right decision.
US Admiral Frank Bradley ordered a second strike on survivors of an initial attack on an alleged drug boat.
The White House confirmed the legality and propriety of the admiral's actions, stating the strikes were in international waters and in line with the law of armed conflict.
Secretary of War Pete Hegseth initially denied the second strike, calling it 'fake news', but later defended it, citing the 'fog of war'.
President Donald Trump admitted he did not know about the second strike, but supported the overall mission to eliminate threats.
Bipartisan lawmakers have expressed concerns about the legality of the strikes and the lack of congressional approval for the military campaign.
- Who
- US Admiral Frank Bradley, under Secretary of War Pete Hegseth
- What
- Ordered a second strike on survivors of an initial attack on an alleged drug boat
- When
- Confirmed on December 1, 2023; Strike occurred on September 2, 2023
- Where
- Caribbean Sea, international waters
- Why
- To protect US interests and eliminate the threat, according to the White House
Critics
Administration
Legality of the Strike
Critics
Critics argue the second strike may violate international law, particularly if it targeted survivors in the water.
Administration
The White House maintains the strikes were legal, conducted in international waters, and in line with the law of armed conflict.
Accountability and Transparency
Critics
Critics, including bipartisan lawmakers, demand more transparency and congressional approval for military campaigns.
Administration
The administration, including President Trump and Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, defends the strikes as necessary to protect US interests and eliminate threats.
- Admiral
- Frank Bradley
- Secretary of War
- Pete Hegseth
- Date of Strike
- September 2, 2023
- Location
- Caribbean Sea, international waters
- Number of Strikes
- 21 in the past three months
- Casualties
- At least 83 people
- Target
- Alleged drug-carrying Venezuelan boat
Sources
US admiral ordered second strike on drug boat survivors? White House confirms what Hegseth called ‘fake news’
'Kill everybody': Did US Defence Secretary Hegseth's order to re-strike Venezuelan boat constitute a war crime?
Violation of international law? Hegseth cites ‘fog of war’ as Trump says he ‘didn’t know about second strike’ against Venezuelan boat
What Is Fog of War? Term at Centre of Pete Hegseth's Defence of Strike on 'Drug-Smuggling Boat'
Hegseth says he did not see survivors after first drug boat strike, backs decision to strike again
US Will Strike "Very Soon" Inside Venezuela, Says Trump
Hegseth says he 'did not see any survivors' before second strike on Venezuelan drug boat
