Was a war crime committed by the US in the Caribbean? Here's what we know

The US armed forces have conducted a series of lethal operations against suspected drug vessels, resulting in at least 83 fatalities. Recent disclosures concerning the September attack on a single boat, where unnamed individuals were killed, have intensified questions about the legality of these unprecedented military actions.

Reports indicate that orders may have been issued to target people clinging to the side of a disabled boat. Military and legal experts suggest that if true, this could constitute a war crime or homicide. According to The Washington Post, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth allegedly instructed a double-tap strike, meaning a follow-up attack after the initial strike, despite reports that two individuals remained alive onboard. CNN later corroborated aspects of this reporting.

Understanding a Double-Tap Strike

In military terminology, a double-tap strike is a second attack following an initial one. This tactic has been criticized internationally; Russia has been accused of using it in Ukraine, and the US faced scrutiny under former President Obama for its drone strikes during the War on Terror.

The White House has denied any wrongdoing. President Trump claimed he would not have approved a second strike and asserted that Hegseth assured him such an event did not occur. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated the strikes were ordered by Adm. Frank M. Mitch Bradley of US Special Operations Command, conducted in self-defense and in international waters, in accordance with the law of armed conflict.

Legal Perspectives on the Attack

Daniel Maurer, retired Army judge advocate general, explained that killing shipwrecked individuals could violate the laws of war, international law, and US law. Maurer noted that, while the strike may not legally qualify as a war crime due to the absence of an armed conflict with narco-terrorists, it could still be classified as extrajudicial killing or murder.

Should investigations confirm that the strike aimed to eliminate survivors, accountability could extend to Hegseth, Bradley, and other commanders involved in planning or executing the operation, though Maurer doubts criminal charges will be pursued. Bipartisan congressional inquiries in the House and Senate have been initiated to clarify the circumstances.

Intent and Accountability

Legal analysts stress that understanding Adm. Bradleys intentwhether to sink the vessel or target survivorsis crucial. Jonathan Tur

Author: Maya Henderson