Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has classified as top secret the full video footage of U.S. forces killing survivors of a Venezuelan drug boat strike while they floated helplessly in Caribbean waters.
The Controversial Strike That Sparked a Cover-Up
U.S. Southern Command forces struck a suspected Venezuelan drug boat on September 2nd in Caribbean waters. After the initial attack, survivors clung to wreckage and floated in the water. Admiral Frank “Mitch” Bradley then ordered a second strike against these incapacitated individuals. The Pentagon recorded the entire sequence but now refuses to disclose it to the public.
This “double-tap” tactic mirrors controversial drone strike procedures previously used in counterterrorism operations. The term describes hitting the same target twice, often killing first responders or survivors. Critics argue that such tactics violate international humanitarian law when applied to incapacitated individuals.
BREAKING: Hegseth says Pentagon won't publicly release 'top secret, full, unedited' video of second US strike on drug boat, but 'appropriate' congressional committees will see it pic.twitter.com/cmY8nVnQFs
— Fox News (@FoxNews) December 16, 2025
Hegseth Draws the Line on Transparency
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth declared the video will remain classified as top secret despite intense congressional pressure. He emphasized that releasing such footage violates longstanding Department of Defense policy. Only House and Senate Armed Services Committee members will view the complete recording in secure facilities.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio supported the classification decision, framing the broader campaign as necessary to dismantle terrorist organizations connected to drug trafficking. Rubio argued these networks are “killing Americans” and “poisoning Americans” through their narcotics operations.
Secretary Pete Hegseth says Admiral Bradley will present the full video of the September 2 narco-terrorist boat strike to lawmakers tomorrow.
pic.twitter.com/3jMRxR4ksj— And We Know©🇺🇸 (@andweknow) December 16, 2025
Congressional Pushback Intensifies
Senator Rand Paul emerged as a vocal critic, stating that “shooting unarmed people floundering in the water is not who we are as a people.” Paul questioned whether the administration was essentially declaring war without providing due process or sufficient evidence before killing suspects.
Both parties in Congress are demanding fuller investigations and greater transparency. Lawmakers are inserting language into the annual defense policy bill that would compel the Pentagon to provide full video access to oversight committees. The move represents a direct challenge to executive secrecy claims.
A Broader Campaign of Maritime Warfare
The September incident occurred within a larger U.S. pressure campaign targeting Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro’s government. American forces have destroyed more than 20 boats and killed at least 95 people since launching this intensified maritime operation. The day before Hegseth’s briefing, Southern Command announced three additional boat strikes killing eight more individuals.
Maduro denies drug trafficking allegations and characterizes American actions as attempts to overthrow his government under the guise of counter-narcotics operations. The Venezuelan leader argues the U.S. is conducting an undeclared war against his nation without congressional authorization or international legal justification.
Sources:
Pentagon Won’t Release Full, Unedited Video Of Second Drug Boat Strike
Hegseth refuses to release full video of boat strike that killed survivors in Caribbean
Hegseth clips congressional wings in probe of ‘double-tap’ Venezuela boat strike