By Zoila Palma: U.S. military officials have revealed new details about the September 2 double-tap strike that killed 11 alleged drug traffickers, telling lawmakers that the targeted boat had been preparing to meet a larger vessel bound for Suriname.
Adm. Frank Bradley, who oversaw the operation, said intelligence indicated the smaller craft intended to transfer narcotics to the second boat, which U.S. forces were unable to locate.
Bradley argued the shipment could still have reached the United States through broader trafficking networks, a claim used to justify lethal action even though the struck vessel was not heading toward U.S. shores at the time.
According to CNN, the new account complicates the Trump administration’s initial justification for the operation.
While Secretary of State Marco Rubio suggested the boat was likely headed to Trinidad or a nearby Caribbean country, President Trump said the traffickers were “heading to the United States.”
U.S. drug enforcement officials, however, say Suriname routes typically supply European markets, while U.S.-bound shipments more commonly transit the Pacific.
Bradley also acknowledged that the boat turned around before the first strike after apparently spotting an American aircraft—a detail previously reported in September.
According to information provided to lawmakers, the U.S. military struck the vessel four times, with the initial hit splitting the boat in two and leaving two survivors clinging to debris.
The second, third, and fourth strikes killed the survivors and sank the wreckage.
Bradley reportedly told lawmakers that video footage showed the survivors waving toward the aircraft, though it remains unclear whether they were attempting to surrender or signaling for help. The Pentagon has not commented on the latest disclosures.
The post International News: New details on double-tap strike raise questions over U.S. justification appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
By Zoila Palma: U.S. military officials have revealed new details about the September 2 double-tap strike that killed 11 alleged drug traffickers, telling lawmakers that the targeted boat had been preparing to meet a larger vessel bound for Suriname. Adm. Frank Bradley, who oversaw the operation, said intelligence indicated the smaller craft intended to transfer
The post International News: New details on double-tap strike raise questions over U.S. justification appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
