A high-ranking naval officer is expected to brief top lawmakers at Capitol Hill in a classified meeting about an operation at sea that has raised serious legal and moral questions. The officer, who now leads the nation’s special operations forces, reportedly gave the order for a follow-up strike that killed two survivors after an attack on a boat suspected of drug trafficking near the coast of Venezuela.
Growing Pressure on Military Leaders
Members of Congress on Capitol Hill are intensifying their investigation into how the military handled the mission. The case gained attention after reports revealed that the defense chief instructed forces to ensure no one survived the strike. Experts warn that deliberately targeting survivors could violate international law.
Lawmakers from both major parties are demanding detailed answers. They want to know exactly what happened, who gave which orders, and whether the follow-up strike was justified. Many leaders on Capitol Hill express frustration that the public still lacks basic information about the incident, despite its seriousness and potential legal consequences for service members.
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The naval officer will appear before select members of the House and Senate committees that oversee national security. Leaders from both sides will question him separately in secure settings at Capitol Hill. They will focus on the orders given before, during, and after the first strike on the boat.
Conflicting Accounts and Mounting Questions on Capitol Hill
The defense chief at the center of the controversy insists that the “fog of war” shaped the situation, a phrase that describes chaos and confusion during military operations. He says he left before the team carried out the second strike but believes the naval commander acted properly and stayed within his authority.
However, a growing number of lawmakers on Capitol Hill disagree. They want the administration to release unedited video from the operation, written orders, and any other records showing who instructed what. Democratic members have pressed hardest, but even some Republicans on Capitol Hill say they support a full review, though they have not publicly asked for the documents.
The situation grew even more complex this week when the Defense Department’s internal watchdog prepared to release a report about the defense chief’s use of a messaging app to share sensitive military information earlier in the year. The report reportedly found that using the app placed U.S. personnel at risk. Even so, Pentagon officials have described the findings as supportive of the defense chief’s actions.
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The naval officer set to testify has served for decades in elite military units, and the Senate recently approved his promotion by unanimous vote. Lawmakers from both parties on Capitol Hill have praised his service. While many still trust his judgment, they insist that he must prioritize truth and accountability.
Several lawmakers have stated that if the investigation confirms that someone intentionally harmed the survivors, the chain of command must accept responsibility. They emphasize that military leaders must follow the rules of war when treating survivors, and service members could face prosecution if they violate those rules.
What Lawmakers on Capitol Hill Want to Learn Next
The investigation is still early, and lawmakers on Capitol Hill have requested extensive documents, including executive orders, intelligence on the targeted vessel, and rules of engagement. A major question remains: how the military decided who counted as a combatant.
Officials acknowledged survivors were in the water after the first strike. Sources say the second strike aimed to sink the damaged vessel. Lawmakers on Capitol Hill want to know if the follow-up directly targeted the people in the water and if the defense chief approved it.
The broader campaign against drug cartels adds tension. Supporters say tough decisions are needed, while critics argue the campaign had shaky legal ground and risks rule violations. Since September, strikes have killed over 80 people. Some lawmakers on Capitol Hill call the controversy a predictable outcome of a rapidly expanding mission with limited oversight.
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One senior senator put it simply: even if the defense chief did not give the exact order for a second attack, he set the mission in motion and shaped the decisions that followed.
As the naval officer prepares to face lawmakers on Capitol Hill behind closed doors, Congress hopes to uncover the facts that so far remain unclear. Leaders expect the classified briefing to become one of the most important moments in the growing inquiry as they seek answers about what happened in the waters near Venezuela and why the first strike’s survivors did not survive.