The tensions between the United States and Venezuela began on September 2nd. On that date, a boat was struck by the United States, since it was allegedly a drug trafficking boat.
According to intelligence from the United States, sources (that haven’t been explicitly mentioned) explained that the boat was going towards Suriname to rendezvous with another vessel and transfer the drugs onto it. This information was provided to officials by Admiral Frank Bradley; however, no location has been confirmed for the second alleged boat.
The boat was struck four times, the first strike splitting the boat in half, leaving two survivors. The second, third, and fourth strikes were then aimed at the boat, killing the survivors and sinking the craft. Following the unveiling of this information, the Trump Administration was put under further scrutiny. Other details about the strike were revealed as well, including the footage of the people on the alleged drug boat waving at the carrier, whether to ask for surrender or help, officials can’t confirm.
As for the strikes specifically in the United States, it is considered a war crime to kill shipwrecked people. These people are defined in the Pentagon’s law of war manual as “in need of assistance and care, ” along with those who “must refrain from any hostile act.”
This is why scrutiny has been heavy on both sides, and why Pete Hegseth has also been under investigation from officials.
The administration argues that the strike and killing of the people was necessary to protect the United States. They say that the boat was in international waters and headed towards the United States, even though the United States Drug Administration says that trafficking routes via Suriname are headed towards Europe, not the United States. The drug trafficking that comes to the United States is from the Pacific side.
The boat strike was the beginning of the new issues between the United States and Venezuela. From the public’s view, there is confusion about what is happening, and speculation about a new war has arisen after the tensions were brought to the spotlight.
