A new report from CNN says that an alleged drug boat the U.S. military executed lethal strikes against in September was headed to link up with a larger vessel bound for Suriname, Admiral Frank “Mitch” Bradley told lawmakers this week, according to the network’s sources.
Newsweek reached out to the Pentagon via email Friday night for comment.
Why It Matters
Recent reports indicate that a boat targeted in a deadly U.S. military double-strike in the Caribbean on September 2 was not immediately en route to the United States—as initially stated by the Trump administration—but was meeting another vessel headed for Suriname. Newly reported details about the U.S. missile attack are fueling legal and political scrutiny, raising questions about justification for the strike and adherence to both domestic and international law.
Congressional oversight and public debate have intensified, underscoring divisions along party lines and within the national security community regarding the boundaries of lawful military force and accountability in U.S. counternarcotics campaigns abroad.
What To Know
In September, U.S. forces struck a vessel in the Caribbean suspected of transporting narcotics. According to CNN, Bradley, who oversaw the operation, told lawmakers that the allegedly drug-laden boat was preparing to rendezvous with a larger vessel destined for Suriname, not directly to the United States. Intelligence suggested plans to transfer drugs midsea, CNN reports.
Bradley maintained in his congressional briefing that there was still a “possibility the drug shipment could have ultimately made its way from Suriname to the U.S,” CNN reports, citing sources. The thought “justified” striking the smaller boat. The outlet reports that the U.S. military “was unable to locate” the larger vessel.
The attack reportedly unfolded in two phases: The initial strike split the boat and left two survivors clinging to the wreckage. Successive drone missiles then killed those survivors and sank the vessel. Although the Trump administration initially characterized the strike as a necessary measure against imminent threats to the U.S., the new details potentially undercut arguments that the boat directly threatened American shores.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth reposted President Donald Trump’s comment on the day of the strikes, in which the president in part said: “The strike occurred while the terrorists were at sea in International waters transporting illegal narcotics, heading to the United States.”
CNN also reports, citing sources, that the survivors were seen waving at something in the air, Bradley said.
What People Are Saying
Aaron Reichlin-Melnick, senior fellow at the American Immigration Council, on X Friday: “Wow, original reporting suggested that the boat was heading for Trinidad and Tobago. Now it seems they were heading to Suriname, which suggests the cocaine on board was eventually bound for Europe, not the United States. This was absolutely nowhere near the United States.”
Ryan Goodman, chaired professor of NYU Law, in part on X Friday: “How is U.S. military killing these 11 people keeping drugs (fentanyl) out of the United States? DOD [Department of Defense] knew the drugs (cocaine) were headed to Suriname. Yes, that’s the OTHER DIRECTION.”
Tim Miller, host of The Bulwark Podcast, on X Friday: “Critical that we use US tax dollars to conduct summary executions at sea in order protect the children of Suriname from cocaine”
Law professor Joe Mastrosimone, also on X Friday: “Glad we murdered two people to save the good people of Suriname from cocaine. That’s some real America First stuff man.”
Former U.S. Ambassador to Israel Dan Shapiro, on X Friday: “Why are we striking boats traveling between Venezuela and Suriname?”
Hegseth, on X Friday: “The @DeptofWar will never, ever back down. America First. Peace through Strength. Common Sense. For the warriors, always.”
What Happens Next
Demands for transparency and accountability are growing. Lawmakers have called on the Defense Department to release the full, unedited video footage of the deadly missile attack to clarify the sequence of events and orders given.
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