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| US Representative Jim Himes questions witnesses during a House Intelligence Committee impeachment inquiry hearing in Washington, DC, on November 21, 2019 [Andrew Harrer/Pool via Reuters] |
At least 87 people have been killed in the United States Military’s strikes on alleged drug-smuggling vessels — part of a campaign launched by Donald Trump’s administration.
The calls for transparency came after a controversial “double-tap” strike on September 2, when a U.S. strike first destroyed a suspected smuggling boat — then a follow-up strike reportedly targeted and killed two survivors clinging to the wreckage.
According to sources familiar with the matter, the second strike was justified by military officials on the grounds that it was necessary to sink the vessel — even though those hit were already incapacitated after the first attack.
During closed-door briefings on Capitol Hill, senior officers including Frank Bradley — the admiral who oversaw the operation — showed classified video footage of the strike to lawmakers. Some Democrats described what they saw as “deeply disturbing,” arguing the survivors appeared defenseless and posed no continuing threat before they were struck.
Others — notably Tom Cotton, Republican chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee — said the footage did not show anything “remarkable” and supported the release of the video if declassified, claiming the survivors may still have posed a threat. 8
Meanwhile, critics — including human rights experts and some lawmakers — argue that the second strike may violate international law. Under the laws of war, they say, it is illegal to target shipwrecked or incapacitated individuals who no longer pose a threat. 9
Adding to the scrutiny: Congress is reviewing the original execution order (EXORD) authorizing the campaign. According to sources, the two-page summary lacks key details about the legal justification, intelligence underlying strike targets, and the chain of command. Lawmakers are pushing for full access — not just video, but also documents and communications related to the mission.
The broader campaign now includes dozens of strikes — reportedly 23 vessels targeted so far — with at least 87 people killed across the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific since the operation began.