Target: Roger Wicker, Chair of U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee
Goal: Investigate allegations of illegal targeting and execution of civilians in open waters.
“Kill everybody”: this chilling directive allegedly came from Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth when wounded survivors were spotted in the water following one of his ordered strikes on Venezuelan boats. Hegseth reportedly greenlit a second strike because he did not want any survivors. The claims drew condemnation from both sides of the aisle, since the Department of Defense’s own laws – and international law – mandate that wounded prisoners be “collected and cared for,” not executed. Critics believe the allegations amount to war crimes.
The boat strikes, which have taken place in the dozens and have killed nearly 100 people and counting, have long drawn condemnation for operating outside the parameters of accepted law. International guidelines explicitly state that targeting civilians is illegal unless an imminent threat of force is at hand. The Trump administration has skated around this designation by claiming, without providing any evidence to Congress or to the public, that everyone on board the boats was a drug dealer. Statistics do not support the claims, as Venezuela is a relatively small player in drug trafficking (and specifically fentanyl) to the United States. Even if the individuals were drug dealers, the law states they should be apprehended and questioned, not murdered on orders from the president.
After the latest allegations and threats of a land invasion of Venezuela, more members of Congress finally seem willing to take action. Sign the petition below to demand the Senate honor its pledge for a full and comprehensive investigation and decisive action regarding this serious matter.
PETITION LETTER:
Dear Senator Wicker,
“I agree that that would be an illegal act.” One of your colleagues on the Armed Services Committee finally acknowledged the deep problems and ethical concerns arising from the Department of Defense’s continued executions of Venezuelan civilians. It should have not taken the possibility of an ordered second strike against survivors to reach this conclusion. The very act of willfully targeting individuals and accusing them of serious crimes in the complete absence of due process – not just once but dozens of times – can and should be seen as a war crime unto itself.
Acts of murder are reportedly being committed almost daily on official United States orders, and Congress has again abandoned its duty to evaluate and exercise war powers. This inaction puts military members who are following orders in danger of future charges and inflames tensions with a country that has not engaged in a hostile military act against the United States. And this inaction could very well lead to an unnecessary armed conflict on land that will result in the loss of American and Venezuelan lives.
Honor your oath, do your job, and fully investigate these potential crimes against humanity. More importantly, take back your power and support a war powers resolution that can end the madness before more human beings pay the ultimate price.
Sincerely,
[Your Name Here]
Photo Credit: Noel Aph
