Congress Investigates Drug Trafficking and Military Operations

During a recent congressional briefing, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth faced criticism from Democratic lawmakers, including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, for his refusal to provide unedited video footage of a controversial military attack on drug traffickers in the Caribbean.

The attack, which occurred on September 2, resulted in the deaths of two survivors and is part of a larger military campaign that has seen 22 boat strikes since early September, claiming at least 87 lives.

Lawmakers expressed dissatisfaction with the lack of transparency surrounding these operations, which raise pivotal questions about the legality and effectiveness of the government's approach to combating the opioid crisis and the international drug trade, especially in regions like Venezuela.

The closed-door briefing included high-ranking officials such as Secretary of State Marco Rubio and CIA Director John Ratcliffe, yet it yielded no information about potential land strikes or changes in leadership in Venezuela, leaving Congress frustrated with the administration's handling of military strategies against drug trafficking.