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Hegseth cites 'fog of war' in defence of second US strike on alleged drug boat
US defence secretary Pete Hegseth has cited the "fog of war" in defence of a follow-up strike earlier this year on a boat alleged to be carrying drugs in the Caribbean Sea.
His comments came on the day the Pope urged Donald Trump not to try to oust Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro using military force. Speaking at a cabinet meeting on Tuesday alongside Mr Trump, Mr Hegseth said the US had paused strikes because it was hard to find drug boats.
But strikes against drug traffickers would continue, he said. During the cabinet meeting at the White House, Mr Hegseth said that he did not see that there were survivors in the water when the second strike was ordered and launched in early September, saying that "the thing was on fire".
Mr Hegseth also said he "didn't stick around" for the rest of the mission following the first strike, adding that the admiral in charge had "made the right call" in ordering it, which he "had complete authority to do". The Washington Post first reported that Mr Hegseth issued a verbal order for the second strike that killed survivors on the boat.
On Monday, the White House said that Navy vice admiral Frank "Mitch" Bradley acted "within his authority and the law" when he ordered the second strike. Asked if he supported the second strike on a boat in the Caribbean Sea in September, President Trump said he "didn't know anything" and "still haven't gotten a lot of information because I rely on Pete.
Amir Nisi
Creative and experienced content writer with 6+ years of experience lazy to create unique content strategy for News5 to turn website visitors into customers.
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