Senators Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) and Jack Reed (D-R.I.) issued a statement on Saturday indicating their intention to conduct thorough oversight concerning recent U.S. military operations targeting alleged drug trafficking vessels in the Caribbean. This follows reports that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ordered military personnel to 'kill everybody' aboard a suspected drug vessel.

The senators noted their awareness of recent news reports and the Department of Defense's initial responses regarding these operations. They stated, 'The Committee has directed inquiries to the Department, and we will be conducting vigorous oversight to determine the facts related to the circumstances.'

According to a report by The Washington Post, Hegseth allegedly issued a verbal directive during the operation, which led to multiple strikes on a vessel in September, with the first strike failing to eliminate all personnel on board.

Hegseth has publicly criticized the reporting as 'fake news,' defending the actions taken by the Trump administration against drug trafficking. He asserted that the strikes are intended to be 'lethal, kinetic strikes' aimed at stopping drug trafficking and targeting individuals he described as 'narco-terrorists' who are contributing to the drug crisis in the United States. He emphasized that every trafficker killed is associated with a Designated Terrorist Organization.

In recent weeks, the U.S. military has increased its presence in the Caribbean, particularly near Venezuela, as part of 'Operation Southern Spear,' a counternarcotics initiative overseen by U.S. Southern Command (Southcom). Since September, the military has conducted over 20 strikes on alleged drug vessels, resulting in the deaths of more than 80 individuals labeled as 'narco-terrorists.'

The U.S. State Department has also designated Venezuela’s Cartel de los Soles as a foreign terrorist organization, accusing President Nicolás Maduro of leading a drug trafficking operation. While Maduro has expressed a willingness for peace with the U.S., he has stated that his military is prepared to respond to any aggression.

President Trump has indicated that the U.S. may extend its operations to land-based actions against alleged Venezuelan drug traffickers. The administration has contended that congressional approval is not necessary for these military actions, as they do not constitute a formal declaration of war.

Lawmakers from both parties have called for increased transparency regarding the military operations as tensions escalate. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) urged Hegseth to release more information, including unedited recordings of the strikes, emphasizing the need for accountability and oversight in light of the reported directives.