Follow-up strike on alleged drug boat: Did the US commit a war crime in the Caribbean? | DW News

Key Concepts

• Law of War: International legal principles governing the conduct of armed conflict.
• US Code of Military Justice: The body of laws and regulations governing the US armed forces.
• "Double Tap": A military tactic of firing a second shot to ensure a target is neutralized.
• "Executive Order" (Exord): A formal directive from a commander.
• "Throwing someone under the bus": A colloquialism for sacrificing someone to protect oneself.
• Iconoclastic: Characterized by the destruction of cherished beliefs, institutions, or practices.
• Flotilla: A group of ships or boats.
• Battalion Reinforced Team: A military unit size, typically around 2,200 personnel.
• Tomahawk Missiles: Long-range, all-weather, subsonic cruise missiles.
• Standoff Distances: Firing from a distance that minimizes risk to the attacker.
• Truth Social: A social media platform associated with Donald Trump.

Controversial Second Strike in the Caribbean

US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has faced significant pressure regarding a controversial second strike on an alleged drug boat in the Caribbean. Hegseth attributed the incident to the "fog of war," stating that he could not see any survivors in the water when the strike was ordered. The White House has defended the decision, asserting it was made by a Navy admiral and was lawful. However, legal experts have cautioned that the US military might have committed a crime if survivors were deliberately targeted. US lawmakers are planning to investigate the attack.

Crossing the Line: Illegal Use of Force

John Feelely, a former US ambassador to Panama and US Marine helicopter pilot, expressed his strong opinion that these boat strikes "cross the line and it crosses back over again and perhaps crosses again just for good measure." He emphasized that under the law of war and the US Code of Military Justice, it is explicitly prohibited to shoot undefended survivors of a skirmish, even if they are identifiable as enemy combatants. Feelely highlighted the severity of the situation, noting that this was not merely a "double tap" to ensure all targets were dead, as Hegseth had previously stated. More critically, the public and the US Congress are uncertain if the individuals on the boat were indeed narcotics traffickers, as alleged by the Department of Defense.

Pressure on Hegseth and Civilian Leadership

Feelely believes that Pete Hegseth is under considerable and justified pressure. He anticipates that Congress will continue to press for answers regarding who issued the verbal and executive orders for the strike. A concerning aspect, according to Feelely, is the attempt by civilian leaders to distance themselves from the decision, which he views as "throwing the admiral under the bus." This action is seen as particularly worrisome.

Wider Operations and Washington's Intentions

Beyond this specific incident, broader US operations in the Caribbean have drawn criticism. Despite this, Pete Hegseth has remained defiant, declaring that US operations have "only just begun." This stance suggests a long-term intention by the Trump administration to adopt an "iconoclastic" approach, characterized by breaking rules, precedents, and protocols across various spheres of activity, including international tariffs and domestic immigration policy. The administration is perceived as willing to break laws and then "double down in the face of pressure."

Trump Administration's Psychological Approach

Feelely explained that, psychologically, Donald Trump has been conditioned throughout his life to "never apologize, never give ground, and if he gets hit, he hits back twice as hard." This mindset is understood by his entire circle, including Hegseth, who is acting "absolutely true to script for being Donald Trump's secretary of defense."

Venezuela: The Specter of War

Regarding the situation in Venezuela, Feelely expressed uncertainty about whether war is inevitable. He outlined several potential scenarios:

• Ground Invasion: Feelely considers a ground invasion impractical and unlikely. He points out that the US has maintained a flotilla with approximately 2,200 Marines (a reinforced battalion) for about three months. He contrasts this with the 1989 invasion of Panama, which involved 27,000 soldiers and occurred when the US already had three bases in the country. Venezuela, being the size of Texas and Oklahoma combined with a population of nearly 28 million, would require a significantly larger invasion force. Therefore, Feelely believes a ground invasion can be "taken off the table."

• Continued Strikes on Small Boats and Tomahawk Missiles: Feelely does not rule out the possibility of continuing strikes on small boats, although he notes there haven't been any for two weeks. He also anticipates the use of Tomahawk missiles launched from standoff distances in international waters against alleged narcotics trafficking centers. He speculates that Donald Trump might conduct such strikes "10, 20 times," resulting in minimal civilian casualties, creating "holes in the jungle," publicizing them on his Truth Social account, declaring victory, and then gradually withdrawing. This approach would be driven by the American public's lack of appetite for another foreign war.

Conclusion

The summary highlights the controversy surrounding a US military strike in the Caribbean, the legal and ethical implications of targeting alleged drug traffickers, and the defiant stance of the US Secretary of Defense. It further analyzes the Trump administration's characteristic approach to foreign policy, marked by rule-breaking and a retaliatory mindset. Finally, it assesses the likelihood of military conflict in Venezuela, deeming a ground invasion improbable while acknowledging the potential for continued, limited strikes.