Second Caribbean Strike Raises Questions Over Pete Hegseth’s Role in Fatal Attack
Controversy has grown over a second military strike on a suspected drug boat in the Caribbean last September. The attack killed people clinging to the vessel after an initial strike, raising questions about who authorised the follow-up action. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has confirmed his involvement but stopped short of taking full responsibility.
The second strike was authorised by Hegseth, according to White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt. Hegseth later stated he saw no survivors in digital images of the smouldering boat after the first attack. However, detailed military planning usually accounts for such possibilities, with contingencies debated in advance.
The incident has highlighted the complex chain of command in high-level military strikes. Investigations will determine whether proper procedures were followed and if all possible survivors were considered. The findings could influence future rules of engagement in similar operations.
