CNN is reporting that the boat the U.S. military struck on September 2 was actually heading toward Suriname—a known route for drugs moving to Europe, not the United States. Admiral Frank Bradley told lawmakers the crew intended to rendezvous with another vessel, but that second boat was never located.
Bradley also confirmed that before the strike, the boat turned around after spotting the U.S. aircraft, and video shown to Congress captured the two survivors waving up toward the air—though it’s unclear if they were trying to surrender or pleading for help. The initial strike split the vessel, leaving the two men clinging to debris; the next three strikes killed them.
Because Suriname is in the opposite direction of the U.S., these details have intensified bipartisan concern—especially since international law protects shipwrecked individuals and prohibits attacking people who are clearly incapacitated or signaling distress.
