Hegseth Ordered “Kill Everybody” in Caribbean Strike, Including Survivors
A new Washington Post investigation reports that U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth gave a direct order to “kill everybody” aboard a suspected drug-smuggling boat in the Caribbean — and then approved a second strike to eliminate survivors.
According to officials with direct knowledge of the mission, the Sept. 2 operation involved a U.S. commando team working under SEAL Team 6. The first missile strike destroyed the vessel and killed 11 people. But drone surveillance reportedly showed two men alive in the water moments after the blast.
Sources told The Washington Post that commanders then ordered a second strike to ensure there were no survivors — a decision they say was made to comply with Hegseth’s instructions. The follow-up strike killed the remaining men and sank what was left of the vessel.
The Pentagon has not released evidence that the boat was carrying narcotics, and officials have not publicly identified any of the people killed. The Trump administration later described the sunken vessel as a navigational hazard, but critics say that explanation does not match the footage or the timeline.
Part of a Rapidly Expanding Campaign
The strike was the first in a series of more than 20 U.S. attacks on suspected smuggling boats in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific this year. The operations fall under an aggressive new mission that treats drug-trafficking organizations as terrorist targets.
Human rights observers say the legal basis for this approach is unclear and may breach international law, particularly in cases where no evidence of hostile combat activity is shown.
Growing Legal and Political Fallout
Legal analysts warn the second strike — executed after the targets were incapacitated and no longer posing a threat — may constitute an extrajudicial killing. Lawmakers from both parties are now calling for hearings to determine who authorized the rules of engagement and whether they follow U.S. or international law.
The White House has not commented on the new reporting. Hegseth has not issued a response.
This remains a developing story.