I suppose it is better late than never for a congressional investigation to launch into the U.S. military strikes against Venezuelan boats, ordered by chronically inebriated Secretary of Defense Pete Hegesth, and convicted felon Donald Trump. This latest controversy spawns from newly erupting details concerning a verbal order by Hegseth on September 2, 2025 to kill two survivors from an airstrike upon a vessel. Honestly, I always considered these strikes controversial from day one as there has been no definitive proof the targeted vessels were carrying drugs, or engaging in other illegal activities towards the United States. Even so, regardless of existing laws, our country has no right to murder people and ask questions later; even worse, never ask questions.
There are people who vehemently claim these military operations do not violate laws regarding armed conflict since our nation is not at war. Well, then, what on earth is our country doing if we are not at war? Committing murder? Exactly. The United States should not stand as judge, jury and executioner while engaging in military maneuvers based on mere assumptions or accusations. Do assumptions about Venezuelan boats upon waters circumvent the necessity of obtaining proof through search and seizure of illegal contraband, and securing prisoners in a humane fashion? From day one, these military strikes have been nothing short of egregious, and should be considered murderous crimes against humanity which violate international law.
Trump, from the beginning of the operations in early September, has asserted the Venezuelan vessels are carrying drug cartel terrorists which are transporting drugs. A second strike on September 15 would later occur, killing a fisherman. Trump again, declared the three men aboard the vessel were "narcoterrorists". No proof, no evidence, and if evidence existed, it was destroyed by total obliteration. (Read my previous post here on the September 2, U.S. attack.)
Since the military operations started in early September, over 83 people have died and over 22-23 vessels have been targeted. The first strike occurred on September 2, 2025. This is the incident which it is now being reported Hegseth ordered two survivors clinging to a vessel to be killed after the first initial hit. The military complied to Hegseth's order by engaging in a second strike, killing the two men. It is reported a video exists showing two men clinging to the boat, and then the second strike occurs on the footage.
The scenario of blowing up vessels without proof has repeated itself multiple times since September. Keep in mind, none of these vessels are military vessels, nor has any evidence of illegal goods been collected; instead the vessel and all on board are destroyed. This is murder! It is without question a violation of existing international human rights laws. One can engage in fruitless debates as to whether these operations are considered war time actions; therefore justifiable, and exempt from certain legal consequences. However, to order the killing of survivors is unequivocally illegal and murder. This is what Hegseth may have done according to the Washington Post, which reported him as issuing a spoken order "to kill everybody". Admiral Frank Bradley, in command at the time complied with the order to eliminate the two survivors.
By the way, Trump, a 34 count convicted felon, does not seem particularly concerned about drug traffickers as he pardoned former Honduras President Juan Orlando Hernández from his drug trafficking charges last week. Hernández was serving a 45 year sentence prison term for trafficking massive amounts of cocaine into the United States. Seems rather contradictory to me....
And what about those in the military who follow orders? Should they be held accountable? Absolutely. Anyone should have the sense and decency to know you do not kill survivors after a strike upon an unarmed vessel. In fact, "they" have been blowing up vessels out of the water with no proof since September, nor do "they" appear to have knowledge who is on board beforehand. Where is the evidence? Hegseth should had been ousted after Signalgate. Hegseth, Trump, and others belong in prison, for murdering the people on these boats.
