The Trump administration faces a deepening crisis over a Caribbean naval strike, as lawmakers demand the release of footage showing the alleged execution of survivors clinging to a capsized vessel. The incident, which left 11 people dead, has ignited a firestorm in Washington and raised serious questions about the rules of engagement employed by the world's most powerful military.

At the heart of the dispute is a fundamental question of international law: can a military force legally target incapacitated suspects? For nations like Kenya, which rely on maritime security frameworks and adherence to global conventions, the precedent set here carries weight far beyond US borders. If established rules of war are being rewritten in the Caribbean, the ripples will eventually reach the Indian Ocean.

A Question of War Crimes

The controversy centers on a September 2 operation against an alleged drug boat. While the initial strike incapacitated the vessel, a follow-up attack reportedly killed two men who had been clinging to the wreckage for an hour. The Washington Post has reported that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth gave a chilling order to “kill them all”—an allegation that, if proven, could constitute a war crime.

Adam Schiff, a prominent Democratic senator, argued on Sunday that the public deserves to see the evidence. Speaking on NBC’s Meet the Press, Schiff challenged the administration's narrative.

“If the Pentagon and our defense secretary are so proud of what they’re doing, let the American people see that video,” Schiff stated. “Let the American people see two people standing on a capsized boat... and deliberately killed, and decide for themselves whether they’re proud of what the country is doing.”

Conflicting Narratives

The pressure for transparency is mounting, fueled by conflicting accounts from within the US military apparatus:

• The Accusation: Representative Jim Himes described the classified footage as “one of the most troubling scenes I’ve ever seen in my time in public service.”
• The Defense: Admiral Frank Bradley, who oversaw the attack, told lawmakers there was no “kill them all” order, and the Pentagon maintains the strike was lawful.
• The Stalling: While President Donald Trump claimed he has “no problem” releasing the video, Secretary Hegseth has remained non-committal, citing the need to protect sensitive information.

“We’re reviewing the process, and we’ll see,” Hegseth said on Saturday, stopping short of a promise to publish the footage.

As the Pentagon stalls, the silence speaks volumes. For observers in Nairobi and beyond, the refusal to release the video suggests that the footage may indeed contradict the official claim of a “clean” engagement. In the court of public opinion, transparency is the only currency that holds value; without it, the administration risks appearing complicit in an unlawful execution.