In the US, legislative bodies are demanding an explanation from the Trump administration regarding military attacks against boats suspected of drug trafficking off the coast of Venezuela. According to a report, the targeting of survivors of the attacks in a second attack has led to serious debates in terms of international law.
While Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth labeled the allegations as “fake news,” President Donald Trump also stated that he fully trusts Hegseth. The US administration defends the operations as measures against drugs and within the scope of its own defense.
Republican and Democratic congressmen emphasized that even if the accuracy of the attacks is not confirmed, the actions against survivors after the initial attack pose serious legal problems. Democratic Senator Tim Kaine said, “If this is true, it is at the level of a war crime.”
The Venezuelan National Assembly condemned the boat attacks and announced that the allegations of a second attack will be investigated. These operations conducted by the US in international waters are both increasing tensions in the region and opening international maritime law to debate.
