Sen. Tim Kaine: Second Strike on Drug Boat Could Be War Crime
Democratic Senator Tim Kaine of Virginia has raised significant concerns regarding a recent follow-on strike conducted by the U.S. on an alleged drug boat. Kaine stated that this action “rises to the level of a war crime if it’s true,” in an interview on CBS’s “Face the Nation.”
Details of the Incident
According to a report from The Washington Post, the initial strike occurred on September 2, targeting a boat suspected of drug smuggling in the Caribbean. Following this, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth allegedly issued an order that left no survivors. This led to a subsequent attack that reportedly killed two survivors in the water.
Legal Implications
Kaine emphasized that if the details are accurate, such actions would violate the Department of Defense’s laws of war and international laws regarding treatment of individuals in conflict. He highlighted specific provisions from the Geneva Conventions, which prohibit targeting wounded civilians or combatants and mandate the care for the injured.
Response from Defense Officials
- Hegseth called the reports “fabricated, inflammatory and derogatory.”
- He asserted that operations conducted in the Caribbean are lawful under both U.S. and international law.
Call for Investigation
The allegations have prompted the leaders of the House and Senate Armed Services Committees to initiate an investigation into the follow-on strike. Kaine noted that lawmakers are demanding clarification on various aspects, including evidence of the crew’s involvement in drug trafficking and the justification for conducting strikes rather than opting for interdiction.
Current Context and Legislative Actions
Kaine expressed frustration over the administration’s lack of transparency, stating, “We had to pry with a crowbar after weeks out of the administration, the supposed legal rationale for the strikes at international waters.” He has indicated that it is essential for Congress to exert its authority over military engagements, particularly when the president acts without legislative approval.
The senator has tried to pass war powers resolutions that would restrict presidential action against Venezuela, previously garnering support from some Republican colleagues. The political climate surrounding Venezuela has shifted, especially with President Trump suggesting that the country’s airspace should be closed completely.
Implications of Military Action
Kaine warned that should military action occur, congressional dynamics could change, hinting at his readiness to file new war powers resolutions. His concerns reflect growing unease about the escalation of U.S. involvement in Venezuela.
Representative Mike Turner, a Republican member of the Armed Services Committee, echoed Kaine’s sentiments, stating that if the follow-on strike indeed happened, it would constitute a severe and illegal act. He reiterated that Congress lacks sufficient information on the reported events.
