A new report from CNN says that a suspected drug-smuggling boat targeted by lethal U.S. military strikes in September was heading to link up with a larger vessel bound for Suriname, Admiral Frank “Mitch” Bradley told lawmakers this week, according to the network’s sources.
Why It Matters
Recent reporting suggests that the boat hit in a deadly U.S. double-strike in the Caribbean on September 2 was not directly sailing toward the United States, despite earlier claims from the Trump administration. Instead, it was allegedly en route to meet another vessel ultimately headed for Suriname.
These new details about the missile strike are intensifying legal and political scrutiny, prompting fresh questions about how the operation was justified and whether it complied with U.S. and international law.
The incident has deepened partisan divides in Congress and sparked debate within the national security community over the limits of lawful military force, transparency, and accountability in American counternarcotics operations overseas.
What To Know
In September, U.S. forces launched strikes on a vessel in the Caribbean suspected of carrying narcotics. According to CNN, Bradley, who oversaw the mission, told members of Congress that the suspected drug boat was preparing to rendezvous with a larger ship bound for Suriname, rather than heading straight to the United States. Intelligence allegedly indicated that drugs were to be transferred at sea, CNN reports.
Bradley reportedly told lawmakers that there remained “a possibility the drug shipment could have ultimately made its way from Suriname to the U.S.,” CNN reports, citing sources. That possibility was described as the rationale for targeting the smaller vessel. The outlet also reports that U.S. forces “were unable to locate” the larger ship.
The strike was said to unfold in two stages: an initial missile hit that broke the boat apart and left two survivors clinging to the debris, followed by subsequent drone-launched missiles that killed the survivors and sank what remained of the vessel. The Trump administration initially framed the attack as necessary to counter an imminent threat to the United States, but the new account could weaken claims that the boat posed a direct danger to U.S. territory.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth reposted a statement from President Donald Trump on the day of the strikes, in which the president said in part: “The strike occurred while the terrorists were at sea in International waters transporting illegal narcotics, heading to the United States.”
CNN also reports, citing sources, that the survivors were seen waving toward something in the air, Bradley said.
What People Are Saying
Aaron Reichlin-Melnick, senior fellow at the American Immigration Council, on X Friday:
“Wow, original reporting suggested that the boat was heading for Trinidad and Tobago. Now it seems they were heading to Suriname, which suggests the cocaine on board was eventually bound for Europe, not the United States. This was absolutely nowhere near the United States.”
Ryan Goodman, chaired professor at NYU Law, in part on X Friday:
“How is U.S. military killing these 11 people keeping drugs (fentanyl) out of the United States? DOD [Department of Defense] knew the drugs (cocaine) were headed to Suriname. Yes, that’s the OTHER DIRECTION.”
Tim Miller, host of The Bulwark Podcast, on X Friday:
“Critical that we use US tax dollars to conduct summary executions at sea in order protect the children of Suriname from cocaine”
Law professor Joe Mastrosimone, also on X Friday:
“Glad we murdered two people to save the good people of Suriname from cocaine. That’s some real America First stuff man.”
Former U.S. Ambassador to Israel Dan Shapiro, on X Friday:
“Why are we striking boats traveling between Venezuela and Suriname?”
Hegseth, on X Friday:
“The @DeptofWar will never, ever back down. America First. Peace through Strength. Common Sense. For the warriors, always.”
What Happens Next
Calls for transparency and accountability are growing. Lawmakers are urging the Defense Department to release the complete, unedited video of the missile strikes to clarify the timeline, the orders issued, and the precise actions taken during the operation.
