A new, disturbing detail in the “drug boat” controversy that has enveloped Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth over the past week calls the purpose of the entire operation into question.

According to an exclusive report from CNN, the alleged narco-trafficking boat that the U.S. military targeted on September 2 in a “double tap” strike, which killed 11 people, wasn’t even heading to the U.S.

Navy Admiral Frank “Mitch” Bradley, who was in charge of the operation, reported to lawmakers that the boat they struck was actually en route to link up with a larger boat that was heading to Suriname, a country east of Venezuela, two sources with direct knowledge of his remarks said.

Bradley also said that it was still possible that the alleged drug shipment could have eventually ended up in the U.S., the sources told CNN—rather dubious justification for a strike that left several people dead.

  • A_norny_mousse@feddit.org
    11·
    6 hours ago

    OK, this makes it even worse. Bit like the nonexistent WMD in Iraq. How many Iraqis had to die for that.

    But it wouldn’t heave been OK if the boat was on its way to the USA, either. Even if it was loaded with “drugs”, with intent to sell.

  • SacralPlexus@lemmy.world
    60·
    15 hours ago

    Just want to point out that going to Suriname is going the wrong direction if you are trying to reach the USA. Also even IF the boat had drugs and IF it was destined for the USA, it seems like this would be a job for a coast guard vessel to intercept and arrest the smugglers. Just executing random people in the ocean because they might be smugglers is murder.

    This might be obvious to you dear reader but I feel like we need to say these things loudly and often.

    • fonix232@fedia.io
      131·
      14 hours ago

      To be perfectly fair this ain’t that different to the various drone aided bombings of civilians in the Middle East.

      The US is just continuing some habitual military-sanctioned murder slightly closer to home.