Is the Announcement About Venezuela?
One of the biggest storylines this week has been Venezuela, after two U.S. strikes on a boat in the Caribbean Sea that was allegedly carrying drugs.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed that Venezuela launched two strikes on a suspected drug vessel on September 2, calling it an act of “self-defense to protect Americans.”
The controversy now centers on the second strike — described as a “double tap” — which killed two people who had survived the first hit. Questions have been raised about whether that follow-up strike was legal and who exactly ordered it.
The White House line so far:
- Secretary of War Pete Hegseth authorised Admiral Frank Bradley “to conduct these kinetic strikes.”
- Officials suggest it was Vice Admiral Frank Bradley who ordered the second strike.
- Leavitt insists: “Admiral Bradley worked well within his authority and the law.”
Trump, however, has publicly distanced himself from the second strike, telling reporters:
“We’ll look into it, but no, I wouldn’t have wanted that – not a second strike. The first strike was very lethal.”
With Admiral Bradley set to give a closed-door briefing to lawmakers on Thursday, it’s entirely possible today’s announcement will try to get ahead of that narrative.
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