U.S. attack on alleged drug boat from Venezuela used aircraft painted like civilian plane, sources say
CBS News • • nation
Key Points:
- The U.S. used an aircraft painted to resemble a civilian plane in a September attack on an alleged Venezuelan drug-smuggling boat that resulted in 11 deaths, according to multiple officials confirmed to CBS News.
- Pentagon officials defended the use of the aircraft, stating it was due to the rapid planning of the operation rather than an attempt to mislead targets.
- The strike on September 2 marked the beginning of a U.S. campaign against drug-trafficking boats, which has since killed over 100 people.
- The attack also killed two survivors of the initial strike, raising legal and ethical concerns among experts and Democratic lawmakers about potential violations of the law of war.
- Questions have arisen about whether the use of a
