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The U.S. Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth, defended this Saturday the military offensive launched by Donald Trump's administration in the Caribbean against alleged drug trafficking vessels, asserting that these actions demonstrate Washington's determination to curb the flow of drugs into its territory.
During his remarks at the Reagan National Defense Forum in Simi Valley, California, Hegseth stated that the operation is a demonstration of "the strength of American resolve" and openly supported the decisions made by the military leaders involved.
The statements were gathered by the channel CNN, which also reported that Congress is conducting ongoing oversight regarding the attacks.
The secretary explained that the anti-drug campaign has targeted vessels linked to organizations deemed terrorist and assured that the mission will continue as long as drug trafficking persists in the region.
However, the offensive has sparked extensive political and legal debate in Washington, after a second attack in September led to the deaths of survivors who had been left adrift following an initial bombing.
The incident has raised questions about a possible war crime, as the Pentagon's manual on laws of armed conflict states that shipwrecked individuals must be considered persons in need of assistance and cannot be attacked.
Democratic and Republican lawmakers requested the Pentagon to review the chain of command that allowed the second attack and announced hearings regarding the actions of the United States Special Operations Command.
Hegseth defended Admiral Frank “Mitch” Bradley, the head of the Command, who authorized the subsequent attack, and stated that he himself would have made the same decision under the same circumstances.
He also denied having issued a direct order to eliminate all crew members and described that version as "completely ridiculous."
The secretary acknowledged that the full video of the operation has not yet been released, despite President Trump stating this week that the government will disclose the footage.
According to CNN, the material was shown to members of Congress and created division among lawmakers.
Some considered the attack disproportionate, while others defended its legality under the rules of engagement against drug trafficking.
The offensive in the Caribbean, which is part of the security strategy promoted by the Trump administration and supported by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, has resulted in the destruction of 23 vessels and the deaths of at least 87 people.
Although the Pentagon maintains that the attacks aim to reduce drug trafficking from Latin America to the United States, legal experts have warned that the use of lethal force in international waters could violate international conventions.
The debate in Washington continues as the White House upholds its deterrence policy against regional drug trafficking, a strategy that has increased the U.S. military presence in the Caribbean and heightened tensions with governments in the area.
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