US lawmakers are demanding answers from the Trump administration about military strikes on drug-smuggling boats near Venezuela. Reports say a second strike was ordered to kill survivors of a first attack. The Washington Post reported that on September 2, a US strike left two survivors on a suspected drug boat. Then, a second attack reportedly happened after Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth told commanders to "kill everybody" on board. Hegseth called the report "fake news," and President Donald Trump said he believed Hegseth "a 100%." Since early September, US forces have hit suspected drug boats in Caribbean international waters near Venezuela and Colombia. More than 80 people have died in these operations. The US says it is defending itself by destroying boats carrying illegal drugs to America. Lawmakers from both parties spoke on Sunday shows supporting congressional review of these strikes. They warned that killing survivors could be a serious legal issue. Democrat Senator Tim Kaine said, "This rises to the level of a war crime if it's true." Republican Mike Turner said Congress had no proof the second strike occurred but agreed it would be "an illegal act" if confirmed. The Senate Armed Services Committee promised "vigorous oversight" after the news. Senators Roger Wicker and Jack Reed said they had asked the Defense Department for facts. The House Armed Services Committee also promised to seek full answers. Hegseth denied the accusations on X, calling them "fabricated, inflammatory, and derogatory". He said all strikes followed US and international law and targeted traffickers linked to terrorist groups. President Trump defended Hegseth, saying, "He said he did not say that. And I believe him a 100%." Trump added the government would investigate and said, "I wouldn't have wanted that - not a second strike." Venezuela’s National Assembly condemned the strikes and vowed a thorough investigation. The Venezuelan government blames the US for stoking regional tensions and trying to overthrow its leadership. Although the US is not a signatory to the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, it claims to act according to its rules. Generally, the use of force against boats in international waters should be non-lethal, experts say. Professor Luke Moffett told BBC Verify, "Force can be used to stop a boat but generally this should be non-lethal measures."