US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth has invoked the 'fog of war' to defend a controversial second American military strike on a boat in the Caribbean Sea earlier this year, an incident that reportedly killed survivors in the water. His defence came on the same day that Pope Leo XIV publicly urged former President Donald Trump to refrain from using military force to oust Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro.
'The Thing Was On Fire': Hegseth's Defence
Speaking at a White House cabinet meeting on Tuesday, 2 December 2025, alongside Mr Trump, Secretary Hegseth addressed the follow-up strike ordered in early September. He stated that he 'did not see' any survivors when the order was given, remarking that 'the thing was on fire.' Hegseth explained that the US had paused such strikes due to the difficulty of locating drug smuggling vessels but affirmed that operations against traffickers would continue.
Regarding his own involvement, Hegseth noted he 'didn't stick around' after the initial strike, delegating authority to the admiral in charge. He asserted that the commanding officer, Navy Vice Admiral Frank 'Mitch' Bradley, had 'made the right call' and acted within his legal authority. This follows a Washington Post report alleging Hegseth issued a verbal order for the second strike.
Pope's Plea and Trump's Stance
The political and humanitarian context of the incident was underscored by an intervention from Pope Leo, the first American pontiff. Returning from visits to Turkey and Lebanon, he addressed reporters, advising that if Washington sought change in Venezuela, it should pursue 'dialogue, or perhaps pressure, including economic pressure' rather than military force.
When questioned about the September strike, President Trump stated he 'didn't know anything' and relied on information from Secretary Hegseth. The Trump administration has consistently framed its actions as necessary to combat drug trafficking it links to Maduro's regime, a charge the Venezuelan president vehemently denies.
Escalating Tensions and Regional Fallout
The incident has intensified already fraught relations. The White House confirmed that President Trump met with his national security team on Monday evening, having previously warned that land strikes against Venezuela would start 'very soon.' While the meeting's details remain unconfirmed, press secretary Karoline Leavitt indicated multiple options were on the table.
In response, President Maduro held a rally in Caracas, declaring Venezuelans ready to defend their country. He labelled weeks of US aggression as 'psychological terrorism.' Venezuela condemns the boat attacks, which have killed over 80 people, as murder and accuses the US of seeking regime change to access its oil reserves.
This event marks a significant escalation, with US forces having conducted at least 21 strikes on suspected drug boats in recent months, raising serious legal and diplomatic questions amidst a volatile geopolitical standoff.
