TRUMP officials say second strike was meant to destroy boat, not kill crew

Thursday, December 4, 2025 -Officials in the Trump administration defended a controversial follow‑up strike on a suspected drug‑trafficking vessel in the Caribbean, saying the goal was to sink the boat — not to target surviving crew members — after an initial strike. 

According to White House and Pentagon statements, a naval commander acted under lawful authority when he ordered a second strike to ensure the vessel was destroyed and eliminate what was described as an ongoing threat. The administration insists the action complied with both U.S. and international law.

The initial missile strike on the vessel reportedly left survivors in the water, but the second strike was ordered to neutralize any further danger the boat — and its contents — posed. 

Administration officials argue that because the boat was suspected of involvement in narco‑trafficking tied to “terrorist” activity, the follow-up action fell under the same legal justification used for armed conflict.

Still, the move has ignited intense scrutiny and raised serious legal and ethical questions. Critics and legal experts warn that using lethal force on survivors of a shipwreck — individuals who may no longer pose a threat — could violate international law and constitute an extrajudicial killing. 

Congress is now calling for investigations, demanding transparency, and requesting video and operational records to clarify exactly what happened.