Did the US commit war crimes in deadly Venezuela boat strike? | Global News Podcast

Key Concepts

• War Crimes: Actions carried out during armed conflict that violate the laws and customs of war.
• Geneva Convention: A set of international treaties that protect people who are not or are no longer participating in hostilities.
• Kinetic Strike: A military strike that uses physical force, such as bombs or missiles.
• "Double Tap" Strike: A military tactic where a target is struck twice, often to ensure destruction or eliminate survivors.
• Self-Defense (in this context): The Trump administration's justification for strikes, arguing they are protecting Americans from illicit drugs.
• Illicit Drugs: Illegal substances, specifically fentanyl and cocaine in this transcript.
• Enemy Combatants: Individuals engaged in hostilities against a party in an armed conflict.
• Imperialism: A policy of extending a country's power and influence through diplomacy or military force.

Summary

This Global News podcast episode delves into the controversial US military strikes against boats in Venezuelan waters, questioning whether the Trump administration has committed war crimes. The discussion, featuring Latin America online editor Vanessa Bushluta, explores the historical context of US-Venezuela animosity, the specifics of the recent strikes, and the legal and ethical implications.

US-Venezuela Animosity and the Campaign Against Maduro

The animosity between the US and Venezuela dates back approximately 25-26 years to the rise of left-wing leader Hugo Chavez, who frequently accused the US of imperialism. Current President Nicolas Maduro's re-election was widely considered rigged by the US and the Venezuelan opposition, leading the US to intensify pressure and declare him an illegitimate leader. More recently, the Trump administration has accused the Venezuelan government of contributing to two major US concerns: the flow of migrants to the US and the influx of illicit drugs. This has led to US military targeting of boats in Venezuelan waters over the past three months.

The September 2nd Strike and the "Double Tap" Controversy

The US military escalated its "war on drugs" in September, focusing on fast boats transporting drugs in the Caribbean. This involved a significant deployment of warships and US military and navy forces. On September 2nd, a strike was launched against a boat in international waters, which the US claimed was carrying drugs to the US. The boat was destroyed, resulting in the deaths of 11 people on board.

This initial strike has become the focal point of controversy. The US military stated they were convinced the boat was carrying drugs but has not publicly provided evidence to support this claim. Following the initial strike, a second strike, termed a "double tap" in military parlance, was reportedly launched. The Washington Post alleged that Secretary of War Pete Hexith had ordered to "kill everyone on board." This second strike targeted two survivors who were clinging to the wreckage after the first strike, resulting in their deaths. This "double tap" has raised significant concerns across the US political spectrum regarding its legality.

Legal and Ethical Implications: War Crimes and the Geneva Convention

Legal experts suggest that killing individuals who have survived an initial strike and are rendered helpless, attempting to cling to life, could constitute a war crime. The Geneva Convention stipulates that once enemy combatants are rendered helpless, they must be offered aid and cannot be killed. The question of whether the individuals on the boat were "enemy combatants" is also raised, but even assuming they were, their treatment appears to contravene the Convention.

Trump Administration's Justification and Counterarguments

The Trump administration has consistently defended these strikes as acts of self-defense. Their argument is that by targeting boats allegedly carrying fentanyl, a highly potent drug responsible for numerous deaths in the US, they are saving thousands of American lives by preventing these drugs from reaching the country. They frame the individuals on the boats as being "out to kill Americans," thus justifying lethal force as self-defense.

Regarding the specific "double tap" strike, President Trump stated he would not have wanted such a second strike to occur. Secretary of Defense Pete Hexith denied ordering it, calling the Washington Post's reporting "fake news." However, White House Press Secretary Caroline Levid stated that Secretary Hexith authorized Admiral Bradley to conduct "kinetic strikes" on September 2nd, and that Admiral Bradley acted within his authority to "ensure the boat was destroyed and the threat to the United States of America was eliminated."

Doubts About the Fentanyl Justification and Drug Trafficking

Vanessa Bushluta expresses skepticism about the administration's justification, particularly the claim that fentanyl was being carried on these boats. She points out that fentanyl is primarily produced in Mexico, not Venezuela or Colombia, making a route through Venezuela to the US unlikely. The majority of fentanyl entering the US is believed to arrive via land routes across the southern border, often smuggled by US citizens.

While acknowledging that some boats might carry cocaine, Bushluta questions the logic of having 11 people on a small vessel if the primary purpose was drug smuggling. Counter-narcotics specialists suggest that drug traffickers aim to minimize weight to maximize drug volume, making a large crew on such a boat improbable. It's possible the boat was also carrying migrants. Furthermore, the lack of public evidence of drugs on board the targeted vessel weakens the administration's claims.

Broader Implications and the Scale of the Operation

The September 2nd strike was the first in a series of attacks that have reportedly resulted in the deaths of around 80 people. In another incident involving a semi-submersible vessel, there were two survivors, a Colombian and an Ecuadorian national. The Ecuadorian national was returned to his country and deemed free to leave as he had committed no crime there.

The scale of the US deployment in the Caribbean is also questioned. Many, including the Venezuelan government and neighboring countries like Colombia, suggest that the operation is too large for a mere counternarcotics mission. There is speculation that the true aim of this American campaign against Venezuela is to remove President Nicolas Maduro from power.

Conclusion

The episode highlights a significant controversy surrounding US military actions in international waters, raising serious questions about potential war crimes and the validity of the Trump administration's justifications. The "double tap" strike, coupled with the lack of concrete evidence for drug trafficking and the questionable logic of the fentanyl route, casts doubt on the stated objectives and suggests a broader political agenda may be at play in the US campaign against Venezuela.