Hegseth defends deadly strikes on alleged cartel boats in the Caribbean

Key Highlights

• Let there be no doubt about it," Hegseth said during his keynote address at the Reagan National Defence Forum.
• The statement comes as Hegseth faces growing scrutiny over a 2 September attack, in which US forces launched a follow-up strike that killed survivors, of which the Pentagon was aware of, of an initial hit on a susepcted drug vessel.
• The attack was carried out by the Florida-based Southern Command, under the directive of Hegseth.
• Lawmakers from both parties have questioned the legality and oversight of the campaign, and several Democrats called for Hegseth's resignation.
• Officials from US President Donald Trump's administration said Hegseth did not order the additional strike, and an admiral who oversees elements of the operation also denied issuing, receiving, or relaying instructions to kill everyone on board, which had been attributed to the defence secretary in media reports.