White House says that second strike on vessel was legal and conducted in ‘self-defense’
In response to questions from reporters today, Karoline Leavitt defended the second strike on a suspected drug-trafficking vessel on 2 September this year.
“President Trump and secretary Hegseth have made it clear that presidentially designated Narco terrorist groups are subject to lethal targeting in accordance with the laws of war,” Leavitt said of the targeted attack, in which the defense secretary reportedly told officials to “kill everybody” after two survivors were identified after an initial strike.
“Adm Bradley worked well within his authority and the law directing the engagement to ensure the boat was destroyed and the threat to the United States of America was eliminated. And I would just add one more point to remind the American public why these lethal strikes are taking place, because this administration has designated these Narco terrorists as foreign terrorist organizations,” the press secretary added.
Leavitt said today that strike was conducted in “self-defense to protect Americans in vital United States interests”. She also noted that the strike was conducted “in international waters and in accordance with the law of armed conflict”.
To date, the strikes on alleged drug-carrying boats in the Caribbean have killed more than 80 people, and targeted at least 22 more boats. According to the Washington Post, who first broke the story, some current and former US officials and experts have said that the Trump administration’s missile strikes in the Caribbean may be unlawful. Historically, the US government has intercepted drug-trafficking boats in the water and prosecuted the alleged smugglers. For his part, Hegseth has refuted claims that the strikes were illegal.
