On December 1 (US time), the White House spoke out in defense of the decision to carry out multiple attacks on a ship accused of drug smuggling from Venezuela in September. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said that Admiral Frank Bradley was authorized by Secretary of War Pete Hegseth to carry out these attacks.
The incident was controversial when the press reported a second attack, which was ordered to kill two survivors of the initial attack, in order to comply with Mr. Hegseth's order to destroy everyone on board.
On November 30, President Donald Trump said he would not want a second attack on the ship and Hegseth denied giving the order.
However, Leavitt said on December 1 that Hegseth had authorized Director Bradley to carry out the strikes on September 2.
She said: "Minister Hegseth authorized Admiral Bradley to carry out these attacks. Admiral Bradley acted within his authority and law, directing combat to ensure the destroyed ship and the threat to the United States was eliminated."
Leavitt said the attack was carried out in "self-defense" to protect US interests, taking place in international waters and in accordance with the law on armed conflict. "The government has designated these drug terrorists as foreign terrorist organizations," she added.
Starting in September, the US military has carried out at least 19 attacks on suspected drug-carrying vessels in the Caribbean and off the Pacific coast of Latin America, killing at least 76 people.
Critics questioned the legality of the attacks. Lawmakers from both Republicans and Democrats have pledged an investigation.
Meanwhile, Trump discussed with senior advisers about the pressure campaign against Venezuela on December 1. Mr. Trump has repeatedly raised the possibility of US military intervention in Venezuela. He also confirmed that he had spoken to Venezuelan President Nicolas Putin, whom the US considers an illegal leader, but Mr. Trump declined to provide details about the conversation.
