US lawmakers are demanding clarity from the Trump administration following explosive allegations that American forces carried out a second strike to kill survivors of an initial attack on a suspected Venezuelan drug-smuggling boat.
The controversy erupted after a detailed report alleged that Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth issued an order to “kill everybody” on board the vessel struck on 2 September.
The Washington Post reported that two individuals survived the first strike, prompting a Special Operations commander to authorize a second attack to comply with Hegseth’s directive.
Hegseth has strongly rejected the report, calling it “fake news,” and President Donald Trump publicly backed him, saying he believed the defence secretary “100%.”
The allegations have triggered intense political scrutiny, particularly because the United States has expanded its military operations across the Caribbean in recent months.
More than 80 people have been killed since early September during these operations, raising concern among international observers and human rights organisations.
The Trump administration maintains that the strikes constitute self-defence, arguing that the targeted boats were transporting illicit drugs intended for US territory.
The report claims that Hegseth issued a verbal directive instructing the operation’s overseers to eliminate everyone on the vessel.
It also alleges that senior commanders interpreted the directive as a clear order to ensure no survivors remained.
Republican and Democratic lawmakers appearing on Sunday political programmes said the report raised grave legal and ethical questions.
They agreed that Congress must conduct a thorough review of the US military’s rules of engagement in the Caribbean operation.
Lawmakers stressed they could not yet confirm the accuracy of the allegations but insisted that the claims were too serious to ignore.
Senator Tim Kaine said during an interview on InnovationTimes’ Face the Nation that the allegation “rises to the level of a war crime if it’s true.”
Kaine added that targeting survivors of an initial military strike would violate key principles of international law.
Republican lawmaker Mike Turner, a former chairman of the Intelligence Committee, said Congress currently does not have evidence confirming the follow-up strike.
Turner emphasised that if such an action occurred, it would constitute an “illegal act” and must be addressed with full accountability.
Members of Congress say they expect briefings from Pentagon officials in the coming days.
They are also calling for the release of classified assessments that may shed light on the chain of command during the operation.
Legal experts warn that if verified, the allegations could place significant pressure on the administration and potentially spark international investigations.
Human rights advocates argue that the United States must ensure its anti-narcotics mission adheres strictly to the laws of armed conflict.
The growing scrutiny comes amid wider questions about the US military’s posture in Latin America and its approach to counter-narcotics operations.
For now, the Pentagon has not publicly addressed the details of the allegations beyond Hegseth’s denial.
Lawmakers say that until a full review is completed, the American public and the international community will continue to seek answers.
