US defense Secretary of Homeland Pete Hegseth is pushing back forcefully against allegations that he approved a deadly directive during a U.S. operation targeting a suspected narcotics-smuggling boat in the Caribbean. His response comes as federal investigators review the circumstances surrounding a strike that left several occupants of the vessel dead and others detained.
Survivor Testimonies Trigger Investigation
Individuals who survived the interception allege that the U.S. team pursuing the boat acted under an instruction to eliminate all passengers. According to accounts cited in recent reporting, a leader on the scene suggested the authorization had come from “the highest level,” implicating Hegseth in the decision-making chain. Survivors claim they heard references to a directive to “kill them all” as the encounter escalated.
The Coast Guard unit that conducted the interdiction was operating under Homeland Security Task Force – Southeast, an interagency framework focusing on maritime drug-trafficking routes. The reported casualties prompted immediate scrutiny from oversight officials and human-rights observers.
Details of the Operation and Internal Response
The mission took place as part of a broader, hardline anti-smuggling strategy implemented earlier this year. Officials familiar with the administration’s approach say the campaign emphasized rapid interdiction and heightened pressure on transnational trafficking groups.
Following the incident, senior DHS officials informed the White House that an unexpectedly high number of fatalities had occurred during the engagement. In the days after the operation, the Coast Guard officer who directed on-scene actions was temporarily reassigned while the investigation proceeds.
According to individuals briefed on internal reviews, investigators are examining the communication chain, the rules of engagement applied during the mission, and whether any directives were misinterpreted or exceeded.
Hegseth’s Denial and Government Statements
Hegseth has categorically dismissed suggestions that he gave any order authorizing indiscriminate force. In comments released to multiple media outlets, he insisted that he never instructed personnel to kill anyone aboard the vessel and described the allegations as “false” and “misleading.” He maintained that any actions taken by U.S. teams were required to comply with legal and operational standards.
A DHS spokesperson confirmed that the Inspector General’s office is conducting a comprehensive inquiry, noting that the department “remains committed to transparency and accountability” as the review continues. The White House also acknowledged the investigation, saying it is receiving regular updates and expects a thorough examination of all relevant facts.
With survivors now in U.S. custody and investigators interviewing personnel involved in the mission, officials say a preliminary report is expected in the coming weeks. Until the inquiry concludes, both the administration and DHS leadership have declined to comment further on the specifics of the incident.
