U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has denied allegations that he directed military personnel to carry out strikes aimed at ensuring no survivors from vessels suspected of drug trafficking in the Caribbean. He characterized these claims as 'fake news' intended to undermine military efforts, asserting that the operations were lawful under both U.S. and international law.

The controversy originated from a report by The Washington Post, which stated that Hegseth ordered military officials to eliminate all individuals aboard a surveilled boat on September 2, marking the start of a series of strikes conducted by the Trump administration. The White House has maintained that those targeted were drug smugglers, primarily linked to Tren de Aragua, a Venezuelan gang.

In response to the allegations, Senators Roger Wicker and Jack Reed announced that the Senate Armed Services Committee would investigate the circumstances surrounding these military actions. They emphasized the need for oversight regarding the alleged follow-on strikes on suspected narcotics vessels in the Southern Command area, which have reportedly resulted in over 80 fatalities across multiple operations.

During the initial operation, a missile strike reportedly left two survivors, prompting a second strike ordered by Admiral Frank M. 'Mitch' Bradley, head of Special Operations Command. Critics, including some current and former U.S. officials, have raised concerns about the legality of these strikes, noting that many individuals killed were not involved in organized crime.

Democratic Representative Ted Lieu has also expressed concerns regarding the legality of these military actions, referencing a Department of Justice memo that purportedly exempts military personnel involved in operations in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific from prosecution. However, he emphasized that neither the memo nor military law permits a second strike against defenseless survivors, warning that such actions could constitute a war crime.

The strikes have drawn international condemnation, particularly from Venezuelan officials, who argue that they violate due process and amount to extrajudicial executions. The Trump administration has framed these operations as necessary for national security, linking them to rising fentanyl-related overdose deaths in the U.S., despite expert contention that fentanyl does not originate from Venezuela.

Internally, there have been concerns within the Department of Defense regarding the legality of these strikes. A senior military lawyer reportedly disagreed with the administration's stance and was subsequently sidelined. Additionally, Admiral Alvin Holsey, who oversaw the attacks, resigned amid reported concerns about the military's actions. Hegseth has criticized the media reports as misleading and has maintained that all military actions are in compliance with legal standards.