Hegseth or Admiral Bradley: Who approved the second Venezuela boat strike?

Al JazeeraCenterEN 5 min read 100% complete by Elizabeth MelimopoulosDecember 2, 2025 at 10:01 AM

AI Summary

long article 5 min

In September 2025, the US military conducted two strikes on a boat in the Caribbean Sea as part of Operation Southern Spear, an anti-drug trafficking campaign. The first strike destroyed the vessel, killing nine, while a second strike killed the two survivors. The legality of the second strike, a "double tap," is under scrutiny, sparking controversy and investigations from both Democrats and Republicans in Congress. Discrepancies exist regarding who authorized the second strike, with reports suggesting Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth gave the initial instruction and Admiral Frank Bradley ordered the strike. The Senate and House Armed Services Committees are conducting oversight to determine the facts surrounding the incident. The Trump administration faces political and legal challenges as a result.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

United States 40% Donald Trump ×250% Frank Bradley 60% Pete Hegseth ×270%

Keywords

boat strike 100% second strike 90% military strike 80% drug trafficking 70% operation southern spear 70% double tap strike 60% legal controversy 60% congressional oversight 50% us military 50% caribbean sea 40%