A Tale of Alleged War Crimes and Unanswered Questions
Senator Tim Kaine from Virginia has raised serious concerns about a reported U.S. military action in the Caribbean. He believes that if the reports are accurate, the second strike on an alleged drug boat could be considered a war crime.
The Incident in Question
The incident involves a U.S. strike on a suspected drug smuggling boat in September. According to reports, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth gave an order to leave no survivors, leading to a second strike that killed two survivors in the water.
Hegseth, however, has dismissed these reports as "fabricated, inflammatory, and derogatory," maintaining that the operations are lawful under both U.S. and international law.
Legal and Ethical Concerns
The Geneva Conventions prohibit targeting civilians or wounded members of the armed forces. They also require that the wounded be "collected and cared for."
A group of former military lawyers has stated that the reported second strike would violate both international and domestic law. Additionally, leaders of the House and Senate Armed Services committees have pledged to investigate the reported follow-on strike.
U.S. Strikes in the Caribbean and Pacific
Since the initial strike on September 2nd, the U.S. has conducted close to two dozen boat strikes in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific Ocean.
Kaine has been seeking answers about these strikes, including:
- Evidence that the individuals on board were indeed drug traffickers.
- The rationale behind striking rather than intercepting the boats.
- The legal justification for the strikes.
Kaine's Criticism of the Administration
Kaine has been critical of the administration's response, stating that it took weeks to obtain the supposed legal rationale for the strikes at international waters, which he described as "very shoddy."
He believes it is time for Congress to rein in a president who is deciding to wage war on his own authority, which he argues is not what the Constitution allows.
Previous Efforts and Future Actions
Kaine has previously tried to pass war powers resolutions to prevent the president from conducting strikes against Venezuela. He noted that the circumstances have changed since the last vote, with the escalating pace of events and recent revelations, such as the reported "kill everyone" order by Secretary Hegseth.
He believes this will garner more support for these motions when they are refiled.
Rep. Mike Turner's Response
Rep. Mike Turner, an Ohio Republican who sits on the Armed Services Committee, also addressed the issue on "Face the Nation." He stated that Congress does not have information confirming that the reported follow-on strike occurred. However, he agreed that if it did happen, it would be a serious and illegal act.
