This article details a highly controversial situation involving the US military’s “Operation Southern Spear” in the Caribbean,accusations against Venezuelan President Maduro,andโฃ allegations of war crimes committed by US Secretary of โขDefense Pete Hegseth. Here’s a breakdown of the key points:
1.US accusations Against Venezuela & Maduro:
* โขโ The USโค accuses Maduro of “narcoterrorism” and leadingโ the “Suns cartel,” โขa network ofโ corrupt officials within the Venezuelan โฃgovernment and military involved in drug trafficking.
* โค The US doesn’t recognize Maduro as the legitimate โคpresident, citing irregularities in Venezuelan elections (notably 2023).
* The fight againstโค drug trafficking is theโข stated justification for the notable US military presence in the Caribbean.
2. “Operation Southern Spear” & Escalation:
* โ As September 2nd, US forces have conducted at least 21 attacks on suspected drug boats in international waters, resulting in at least 83 deaths.
* โ The inclusion of the “Suns cartel” on the USโข list of foreign terrorist organizations is presented asโฃ providing justification for expanding operations into Venezuelan territory.
3. โคAllegations โฃof War Crimes & the “Kill Them All” Order:
* โข The โคWashington Post allegesโข that Secretary of Defense Hegseth ordered a second attack on a drug boat after survivors were โseen clinging to wreckage, giving the order “kill them all.”
* The first attackโข left 11 on board, twoโ survived.
* Admiral Frank Bradley, head ofโ Specialโ Operations Command, allegedly carried out the order, claiming it was for “self-defense” and in complianceโฃ with โthe laws of armed conflict.
* However,โข the Pentagon’sโข own โmanual cites attacking shipwrecked people as a situation โขwhere a superior’s order should be rejected.
* โ Bradley reportedly justified the second attack โฃby suggesting survivors could alert other traffickers.
4. Responses & Denials:
* โฃPentagon spokesperson Leavitt claims Hegseth isโฃ not responsible โขand that Bradley acted within hisโค authority. Leavitt fails to justify the legality of the second attack under the laws of armed โconflict.
* โ Hegseth and Trump deny the allegations. Hegseth even posted a seemingly flippant โขimage onโ social media referencing the attacks.
* Trump’s response is ambiguous, โinitially stating he “wouldn’t have wanted that” (a second attack) โbut then deferring to Hegseth’s denial.
Key Players:
* Nicolรกs โMaduro: Venezuelan President, accused of narcoterrorism.
* Pete โhegseth: USโ Secretary of defense, accused ofโ ordering war crimes.
* โฃ Donald Trump: US President, offering a mixed response to the allegations.
* Marco Rubio: US Senator, a strong advocate for a โฃhardline policy towards Venezuela.
* Admiral Frank Bradley: Head of Special Operations Command, allegedly ordered โขthe second attack.
the article paints a picture of a highly aggressive US military operation, fueled by accusationsโ of drug trafficking and political illegitimacy, and potentially involving seriousโฃ violations of theโ laws of war. The conflicting accounts and denials raiseโ significant questions about accountability and the justification for the escalating โฃviolence in the Caribbean.
