The US military launched a second strike on a Venezuelan drug ferrying boat in the Caribbean that killed survivors clinging to the vessel, according to a report by the Washington Post. The attack, led under the Trump administration's campaign against "narco-terrorists," has sparked widespread outrage and calls for investigation. Since September, over 20 strikes have targeted suspected drug traffickers, killing at least 81 people. Reports say the follow-up strike was ordered by Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth to "kill everybody" onboard after the first attack failed to kill all present. This alleged "second tap" has triggered concerns of war crimes, prompting Republican-led Senate and House armed service committees to launch probes. Legal experts argue the strikes may violate laws of armed conflict as the US is not in an official war against traffickers. Rebecca Ingber, a law professor, stated, "It is manifestly unlawful to kill someone who’s been shipwrecked." The Pentagon’s Law of War manual orders protection for wounded and shipwrecked persons, forbidding attacks on those hors de combat. Hegseth denies ordering the killing of survivors. President Trump distanced himself from the second strike, saying he would not have wanted it carried out. Officials claim the second strike targeted the disabled boat and its narcotics, not the survivors. Experts like Geoffrey Corn question why survivors were not rescued before sinking the vessel, labeling the actions "improper" if crew members were targeted. The controversy adds fresh urgency to scrutiny of the US's broader drug boat strike policy, which some say lacks clear legal grounding. Brian Finucane of the International Crisis Group warns that the broader campaign itself may be unlawful without an official armed conflict. Congressional inquiries are expected to question commanders about orders received, strike details, and treatment of survivors. The incident highlights tensions between US anti-drug operations and established war conduct rules, as lawmakers promise thorough investigation into possible illegal orders and war crimes.