On September 2, 2025, a U.S. military strike targeted a vessel in the Caribbean Sea, resulting in the deaths of two survivors who clung to the wreckage for approximately 45 minutes before a follow-up strike was ordered. Admiral Frank Bradley, then head of Joint Special Operations Command, authorized the second strike, which was reported by The Intercept. Bradley justified the action by claiming that the survivors and the remaining portion of the boat posed a threat.

During a Cabinet meeting, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth distanced himself from the decision to conduct the follow-up strike, citing the chaotic conditions of the situation. He referred to the 'fog of war' as a rationale for the military's actions. Representative Adam Smith, D-Wash., criticized Hegseth's statements, asserting that there was ample time to assess the situation clearly, as video evidence showed the two men in a vulnerable state without any indication of a threat.

Sources familiar with the briefings indicated that the men were seen waving their arms, which could be interpreted as a signal for help or surrender. Despite this, Bradley maintained that the men could potentially rejoin criminal activities, a claim that lacked supporting evidence according to multiple sources.

Senator Tom Cotton, R-Ark., supported the military's actions, suggesting that the survivors were attempting to recover a boat allegedly loaded with drugs. However, sources indicated that there was no evidence to substantiate this claim. Legal experts have raised concerns about the legality of the strikes, arguing that the military is prohibited from targeting civilians who do not pose an imminent threat, even if they are suspected of criminal activity.

The U.S. military has conducted 22 known attacks in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific since September, resulting in at least 87 civilian deaths. These actions have drawn bipartisan criticism from lawmakers and experts in international law, who argue that such strikes constitute extrajudicial killings and violate established legal standards regarding the use of force against civilians.