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A senior United States Navy commander directed an additional military strike against a suspected Venezuelan drug vessel, a move the White House has now confirmed. This action by Admiral Frank Bradley occurred amid heightened scrutiny and concerns over the legality of such operations in the Caribbean.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated on Monday that Admiral Bradley acted “well within his authority and the law” when ordering the subsequent strike. She acknowledged that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth had authorized the initial operations but clarified that he did not issue an order to “kill everybody,” despite previous claims that surfaced in media reports. Millenium TV has learned that the second strike reportedly took place after two individuals survived an initial explosion and were clinging to the burning boat.
Both Republican and Democratic legislators have voiced apprehension regarding the reports surrounding the incident and have committed to conducting thorough congressional reviews of the strikes. Ms. Leavitt reiterated the administration’s stance, saying that “President [Donald] Trump and Secretary Hegseth have made it clear that presidentially designated narco-terrorist groups are subject to lethal targeting in accordance with the laws of war.” However, she did not confirm whether the first strike left survivors or if the follow-up attack aimed to eliminate them.
Defense Secretary Hegseth has vigorously pushed back against accusations in recent reports, describing them as “fabricated, inflammatory, and derogatory.” On Monday, he expressed his unequivocal support for Admiral Bradley, stating he “is an American hero, a true professional, and has my 100% support. I stand by him and the combat decisions he has made — on the September 2 mission and all others since.”
The US has expanded its military presence in the Caribbean region in recent weeks, conducting a series of lethal strikes on vessels suspected of drug smuggling in international waters near Venezuela and Colombia. These operations, characterized by the US as an anti-narcotics effort, have resulted in more than 80 fatalities since early September. The Trump administration asserts these actions are taken in self-defense to destroy boats transporting illicit drugs to the United States.
The operations have significantly increased tensions with Venezuela. President Trump has repeatedly indicated he is considering deploying US ground forces into the country. The Senate Armed Services Committee announced it would be “conducting vigorous oversight to determine the facts” related to the strikes, with Chairman Senator Roger Wicker confirming plans to interview the admiral in charge and seek audio and video evidence. Similarly, the House Armed Services Committee pledged a “bipartisan action to gather a full accounting of the operation.”
Legal analysts speaking to Millenium TV have raised serious doubts about the legality of a second strike on alleged survivors under international law, noting that shipwrecked sailors or incapacitated combatants are typically entitled to protections. International conventions, such as the Geneva Conventions, prohibit targeting wounded participants in armed conflicts, stipulating they should instead be apprehended and cared for.
Venezuela’s National Assembly has condemned the September 2 boat strikes, vowing a “rigorous and thorough investigation.” The Venezuelan government has accused the US of exacerbating regional tensions with the intention of destabilizing its government. Venezuelan Attorney General Tarek William Saab attributed US allegations to “great envy” for the country’s natural resources and urged direct dialogue between the two nations.
President Trump recently confirmed a brief phone call with Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, during which he reportedly pressured Maduro to resign. According to reports, Trump offered Maduro safe passage to a destination of his choosing if he agreed to depart immediately, a proposition Maduro rejected. Millenium TV sources indicate that Maduro sought amnesty for his top aides and continued control of the military after stepping down, both of which Trump reportedly refused. Following the refusal, Trump posted on social media that Venezuelan airspace should be considered “closed in its entirety.” US officials have also accused Maduro of involvement in a “terrorist” organization linked to drug trafficking, claims Maduro denies.
© Millenium TV
