Extract from ABC News
US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has defended the attacks on Venzuela vessels as lawful. (Reuters: Yves Herman)
In short:
The White House says US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth authorised an admiral to conduct multiple strikes on Venezuelan boats suspected of smuggling drugs.
Press secretary Karoline Leavitt says Admiral Frank Bradley worked well within his authority and the law in conducting the strikes.
What's next?
Politicians from both parties have announced support for congressional reviews of US military strikes against vessels suspected of smuggling drugs
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth authorised an admiral to conduct multiple strikes that killed 11 people on a vessel from Venezuela allegedly carrying illegal narcotics in September, the White House has confirmed, insisting the attack that has come under bipartisan scrutiny was lawful.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt offered a justification for the September 2 strike after politicians from both parties on Sunday announced support for congressional reviews of US military strikes against vessels suspected of smuggling drugs in the Caribbean Sea and eastern Pacific Ocean.
Ms Leavitt did not dispute a Washington Post report that there were survivors after the initial strike in the incident.
Her explanation came after President Donald Trump said earlier that he "wouldn't have wanted that — not a second strike" when asked about the incident.
Karoline Leavitt offered a justification for the September 2 strikes in the Carribean Sea. (AP: Evan Vucci)
"Secretary Hegseth authorised Admiral Bradley to conduct these kinetic strikes," said Ms Leavitt, referring to US Navy Vice Admiral Frank Bradley, who at the time was the commander of Joint Special Operations Command.
"Admiral Bradley worked well within his authority and the law, directing the engagement to ensure the boat was destroyed and the threat to the United States of America was eliminated."
The politicians said they did not know whether last week's Post report was true, and some Republicans were sceptical.
They said the reports of attacking survivors of an initial missile strike posed serious legal concerns and merited further scrutiny.
"This rises to the level of a war crime if it's true," Virginian Democratic Senator Tim Kaine said.
Representative Mike Turner, an Ohio Republican, when asked about a follow-up strike aimed at people no longer able to fight, said Congress did not have information that it happened.
He noted that leaders of the Armed Services Committee in both the House and Senate had opened investigations.
"Obviously, if that occurred, that would be very serious, and I agree that that would be an illegal act," Mr Turner said.
Trump vigorously defends Hegseth
Donald Trump has defended Pete Hegseth. (AP: Alex Brandon)
"Pete said he did not order the death of those two men," Mr Trump said. "And I believe him."
Ms Leavitt said Mr Hegseth had spoken with members of Congress who may have expressed some concerns about the reports over the weekend.
After the Post's report, Mr Hegseth said Friday on X that "fake news is delivering more fabricated, inflammatory, and derogatory reporting to discredit our incredible warriors fighting to protect the homeland".
"Our current operations in the Caribbean are lawful under both US and international law, with all actions in compliance with the law of armed conflict — and approved by the best military and civilian lawyers, up and down the chain of command," Mr Hegseth wrote.
Ms Leavitt also confirmed that Mr Trump, later on Monday local time, would be holding a meeting with his national security team to discuss the ongoing operations in the Caribbean Sea and potential next steps against Venezuela.
The US administration says the strikes in the Caribbean are aimed at drug cartels, some of which it claims are controlled by Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.
Mr Trump is also weighing whether to carry out strikes on the Venezuelan mainland.
Mr Trump on Sunday confirmed that he had recently spoken by phone with Mr Maduro but declined to detail the conversation.
The September strike was one in a series carried out by the US military in the Caribbean Sea and eastern Pacific Ocean as Mr Trump has ordered the build-up of a fleet of warships near Venezuela, including the largest US aircraft carrier.
More than 80 have been killed in the strikes on small boats that the Trump administration alleges smuggle narcotics for drug cartels.
AP
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