Tom Cotton Supports U.S. Strikes On Alleged Drug Boat as Justifiable

WASHINGTON Senator Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) expressed approval Thursday after viewing classified footage showing two survivors of a U.S. military attack on an alleged drug-smuggling boat being killed in a subsequent strike. The incident, which occurred near Venezuela on September 2, has raised concerns among lawmakers from both parties and prompted calls for investigations into potential war crimes.

"These were righteous strikes," Cotton, chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, stated on Capitol Hill. He was briefed along with other lawmakers by Admiral Frank Bradley and Joint Chiefs of Staff Chair General Dan Caine on the boat attacks in the Caribbean.

"The first, second, third, and fourth strikes on September 2 were entirely lawful and necessary, precisely what we expect from our military commanders," he added.

Regarding the second boat strike, Cotton described the footage with a light chuckle. "I saw two survivors attempting to right a vessel loaded with drugs bound for the United States in order to continue their mission," he said. "Other narcoterrorist boats in the area might have tried to assist in recovering their cargo."

He emphasized that the targets were foreign-designated terrorist groups responsible for bringing drugs to the U.S., which have caused widespread deaths across the country.

However, Pentagon officials clarified in recent briefings that no fentanyl was recovered in these incidents, only cocaine, which contrasts with claims that the operations were aimed at stopping deadly synthetic opioids.

The senator's statements sharply contrasted with the reactions from Democrats who attended the same briefing. Representative Jim Himes (D-Conn.), ranking Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, described the footage as deeply troubling. "You have two individuals in clear distress, without any means of locomotion, whose vessel was destroyed and who were then killed by U.S. forces," Himes said.

Senator Jack Reed (D-R.I.), ranking Democrat on the Senate Armed Services Committee, echoed the concern. "The Department of Defense must release the full, unedited footage of the September 2 strike," Reed said, adding that the briefing confirmed his worst fears about the military operation and underscored the need for a thorough investigation.

When asked about the emotional reaction of his colleagues, Cotton responded, "I didnt see anything disturbing about it. What is disturbing is that millions of Americans have died from drugs smuggled into our country. What is gratifying is that the administration has decided to confront this threat directly and continue these operations."

Author: Riley Thompson