Secretary of War Pete Hegseth emphasized that U.S. forces have procedures for dealing with survivors during the Caribbean campaign targeting suspected drug-smuggling vessels, pushing back on suggestions the operations are “cavalier” or designed to kill everyone onboard.
Speaking at the Reagan National Defense Forum in Simi Valley, Calif., on Saturday, Hegseth said in one case a semi-submersible carrying drugs was struck but did not immediately go down.
He described a follow-on strike after several people jumped into the water and swam away, saying the vessel ultimately sank and two individuals were later recovered.
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