US Navy admiral ordered second deadly Venezuela boat strike, White House says

December 2, 2025

A US Navy admiral authorized a controversial second strike on a suspected Venezuelan drug boat on September 2, killing two survivors who were clinging to the vessel after the initial attack. The incident has sparked bipartisan congressional concern over whether the "double tap" strike violated international laws protecting shipwrecked sailors and wounded combatants, with lawmakers demanding a full investigation including interviews and audio-visual evidence. Over 80 people have died in similar Caribbean strikes since early September, with the Trump administration claiming self-defense against drug trafficking but providing limited evidence of illicit activity.

Who is affected

Two survivors killed in the second strike on September 2
Over 80 people killed in similar strikes since early September
Admiral Frank Bradley (ordered the second strike)
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth (authorized the strikes)
Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his government
US lawmakers on both House and Senate Armed Services Committees
Venezuelan citizens and alleged drug traffickers in the Caribbean region
Joint Chiefs of Staff members

What action is being taken

The Senate Armed Services Committee is conducting oversight and planning to interview the admiral in charge
The House Armed Services Committee is leading bipartisan action to gather a full accounting of the operation
Lawmakers are seeking audio and video evidence to determine what orders were given
Venezuela's National Assembly is carrying out an investigation into the September 2 strikes
The US has expanded its military presence in the Caribbean as part of anti-narcotics operations

Why it matters

This incident raises fundamental questions about the legality of US military operations under international law, specifically whether targeting survivors of an initial strike violates Geneva Convention protections for shipwrecked sailors and wounded combatants. The lack of transparency—with officials providing grainy videos but no evidence of drug trafficking or details about those killed—undermines accountability for operations that have resulted in over 80 deaths. The bipartisan congressional concern signals potential limits to executive military authority, while the escalating confrontation with Venezuela risks broader regional destabilization and could set dangerous precedents for future military engagements characterized as "non-international armed conflicts."

What's next

Senate Armed Services Committee will interview the admiral in charge of the September 2 operation
Committees are seeking audio and video evidence to review the orders given
Trump warned that US efforts to halt Venezuelan drug trafficking "by land" would begin "very soon"
Venezuela has called for direct dialogue with the US government "to clear the toxic atmosphere"

Read full article from source: BBC