Did the U.S. commit a war crime in the Caribbean?
Consider This from NPR
NPR
4.1 • 5.3K Ratings
🗓️ 1 December 2025
⏱️ 14 minutes
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Summary
More than 80 people have now been killed by U.S. strikes on suspected drug boats.
There are growing questions about an order to kill two of those people — whether it amounts to a war crime.
Here’s what we know: on September 2, the U.S. carried out two strikes on a boat in the Caribbean. The second, subsequent strike killed two remaining survivors.
Details of that second strike were first reported by The Washington Post last week.
Today, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth “authorized” Admiral Frank Bradley to conduct both strikes, and that Admiral Bradley issued the order and, quote — “worked well within his authority and the law.”
But on Capitol Hill, both the Senate and House Armed Services Committees are asking for a full accounting.
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This episode was produced by Vincent Acovino and Karen Zamora, with audio engineering by Jay Czys. It was edited by Patrick Jarenwattananon and Courtney Dorning. Our executive producer is Sami Yenigun.
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| 1:29.7 | supporting public media while you listen. Sign up at plus.npr.org. Now to Monday's episode. |
| 1:42.9 | Republicans have spent much of this year deferring to President Trump. |
| 1:47.1 | Could the strikes on the suspected drug smuggling boats in the Caribbean change that? |
| 1:52.6 | Here's the latest. |
| 1:53.5 | We know that on September 2nd, the U.S. carried out two strikes on an alleged drug boat, |
| 1:59.2 | a first strike, and then a subsequent strike that killed |
| 2:02.6 | the two remaining survivors. During a press briefing on Monday, White House Press Secretary |
| 2:07.6 | Caroline Levitt said that defense secretary Pete Hegseth authorized Navy Admiral Frank Bradley to |
| 2:14.0 | conduct the second strike. Admiral Bradley worked well within his authority and the law, directing the engagement to ensure the boat was destroyed, |
... |
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