A U.S. Navy admiral has refuted claims that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth issued a “kill them all” order during a military operation against a suspected drug-smuggling vessel near Venezuela on September 2. The incident, which resulted in the deaths of two survivors, has ignited a congressional investigation into the operation’s circumstances.
During a closed-door briefing on December 4, Admiral Frank “Mitch” Bradley, who led the operation, clarified that he did not receive any such directive from Hegseth. Senator Tom Cotton, who attended the briefing, supported Bradley’s assertion, emphasizing that the admiral was unequivocal in rejecting the existence of such an order.
Despite this denial, the incident has prompted significant concern among members of Congress, particularly among Democrats. Representative Adam Smith, the leading Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee, voiced alarm over video footage depicting the killings of the survivors, describing them as “two shirtless people clinging to the bow of a capsized and inoperable boat.” He questioned the rationale behind the attack.
This operation is part of a broader U.S. military campaign targeting alleged drug traffickers in the Caribbean, a strategy intensified under the Trump administration that has strained relations with Venezuela. Since September, these strikes have resulted in over 80 deaths, raising pressing ethical and legal questions regarding the use of military force against drug smugglers.
In light of the controversy, lawmakers are calling for the release of classified materials related to the operation, including videos and legal memos. The ongoing investigation aims to assess whether the strikes complied with international law and the established rules of engagement, with potential implications for U.S. military operations and foreign policy in the region.
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