US Defense Secretary Hegseth refuses to release military video

“In keeping with the long-standing policy of the War Department, the Department of Defense, we will of course not release any top secret, unedited video of this to the general public,” he told reporters. The recordings should only be shown to the relevant congressional committees.

At the beginning of December, US President Donald Trump expressed his desire for transparency. Asked if the Defense Ministry was willing to release the video of the attack, he said: “I don’t know what they have, but whatever it is, we would definitely release it, no problem.”

On September 2nd, the US military attacked a boat in the Caribbean that was allegedly smuggling drugs. A little later, a second attack was reportedly ordered to kill two surviving men.

The responsible Admiral, Frank M. Bradley, contradicted this account. According to experts, the second attack may have violated international law – according to the Washington Post, the men had clung to the wreckage and posed no immediate threat.

“No concrete reason for withholding the videos”

On Tuesday, Hegseth informed members of Congress about US military strikes in the Caribbean – including off the coast of Venezuela.

Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal said the American people need to see the videos. “There is basically no concrete justification for withholding these videos,” he said. In addition to film material, “all documents, evidence and orders issued” should be published.

The USA had recently concentrated forces in the Caribbean. There have been numerous deadly attacks by the military on boats carrying people suspected of smuggling drugs.

Critics see the action as a violation of international law, but Trump’s government speaks of a legitimate fight against “drug terrorists.” The USA has a big drug problem. Trump blames other countries for this.