U.S. Military Strikes in Caribbean Under Scrutiny After Controversial Video Calls

Democratic lawmakers are calling for the release of a classified video related to a U.S. military strike on a boat in the Caribbean on September 2, which resulted in the deaths of two survivors. Representatives Adam Smith and Jim Himes, who viewed the footage, argue it contradicts claims by Republican lawmakers suggesting the survivors were actively involved in drug trafficking.

Himes noted that the two individuals were barely alive and lacked communication devices, raising serious questions about the justification for the follow-up strike. Jeh C. Johnson, former Secretary of Homeland Security, criticized the legality of such strikes, asserting they amount to extrajudicial killings, distinct from previous military actions authorized by Congress.

Johnson emphasized that drug cartels, unlike terrorist organizations, should be handled through law enforcement, not military engagement.