U.S. Military Boat Strikes Under Scrutiny; Legal Experts Call It War Crime

UPDATE: The U.S. military’s controversial boat strikes against suspected drug traffickers are under intense scrutiny following alarming revelations about a September 2, 2023, attack in the Caribbean. Lawmakers are demanding access to video evidence after reports emerged that a second strike was ordered to eliminate defenseless survivors.

Legal experts are raising serious concerns, labeling the actions as potential war crimes. The U.S. Southern Command has publicly acknowledged a separate strike that resulted in the deaths of four men aboard a vessel linked to a designated terrorist organization, but the focus is now sharply on the September incident.

During a closed-door testimony in Washington on Thursday, U.S. Navy Adm. Frank “Mitch” Bradley faced questioning about the September 2 strike, which left at least 11 people dead. Eyewitness accounts reveal that survivors were seen clinging to an overturned boat, desperately waving for help before they were obliterated in a second aerial assault.

Chicago Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi expressed grave concerns about the lack of transparency, stating that only a select group of officials have been granted access to the full video evidence. “This administration is selectively withholding vital information from Congress and the American public,” Krishnamoorthi asserted, highlighting a troubling pattern of restricted access to critical data.

“I myself am very, very concerned about the fact that this is a pattern that this administration is pursuing now,” Krishnamoorthi said.

The investigation into the September strike has ignited a firestorm across the nation, with differing opinions emerging among lawmakers. Arkansas Senator Tom Cotton defended the military’s actions, stating, “What’s disturbing to me is that millions of Americans have died from drugs being run to America by these cartels.” Conversely, Virginia Senator Mark Warner expressed discomfort with the footage he viewed, calling it “very disturbing,” but refrained from making legal conclusions until all information is available.

Adding to the urgency, legal experts point out that the designation of these groups as terrorist organizations does not exempt the U.S. from adhering to international laws governing armed conflict. Former State Department advisor Brian Finucane stated, “The U.S. government is engaged in a killing spree at sea completely outside the law.” He criticized the administration for attempting to justify these strikes under the guise of counter-terrorism.

Earlier this week, former Drug Enforcement Administration agent Michael Gannon highlighted that these military operations significantly alter the landscape of the ongoing drug war, indicating a desperate shift by cartels resorting back to maritime routes as borders tighten.

In a statement from the White House, officials revealed that they are currently in discussions with the Pentagon about releasing the full September 2 strike video, although no specific timeline has been established. This development may further escalate the debate surrounding the legality and morality of U.S. military actions in international waters.

As pressure mounts from Congress and public opinion, all eyes remain on the ongoing investigation and the potential implications for U.S. military policy moving forward. The question of legality, transparency, and accountability in these operations will likely dominate discussions in the coming days.

Stay tuned for updates as this story develops, and the potential fallout from these military actions unfolds.