Hegseth cites 'fog of war' in defending follow-up strike on alleged drug boat

US defence secretary Pete Hegseth has cited the "fog of war" in defending a follow-up strike on an alleged drug-carrying boat in the Caribbean Sea earlier this year.

It comes as the Pope urged Donald Trump not to try to oust Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro using military force.

Speaking at a cabinet meeting on Tuesday alongside the president, Mr Hegseth said the US had paused strikes because it was hard to find drug boats.

But strikes against drug traffickers would continue, he said.

During the cabinet meeting at the White House, Mr Hegseth said that he did not see that there were survivors in the water when the second strike was ordered and launched in early September, saying that "the thing was on fire".

Mr Hegseth also said he "didn't stick around" for the rest of the mission following the first strike, adding that the admiral in charge had "made the right call" in ordering it, which he "had complete authority to do".

The Washington Post first reported that Mr Hegseth issued a verbal order for the second strike that killed survivors on the boat.

On Monday, the White House said that Navy vice admiral Frank "Mitch" Bradley acted "within his authority and the law" when he ordered the second strike.

Asked if he supported the second strike on a boat in the Caribbean Sea in September, President Trump said he "didn't know anything" and "still haven't gotten a lot of information because I rely on Pete," referencing Mr Hegseth.

On Tuesday, Pope Leo, the first American pontiff, said it would be better to attempt dialogue or impose economic pressure on Venezuela if Washington wants to pursue change there.

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The Trump administration has been weighing options to combat what it has portrayed as Mr Maduro's role in supplying illegal drugs that have killed Americans.

The socialist Venezuelan president has denied having any links to the illegal drug trade.

Asked during a news conference about President Trump's threats to remove Mr Maduro by force, the Pope said: "It is better to search for ways of dialogue, or perhaps pressure, including economic pressure."

He added that Washington should search for other ways to achieve change "if that is what they want to do in the United States".

The Pope was speaking as he flew home from visiting Turkey and Lebanon - his first overseas trip in the role.

Mr Maduro has said Venezuelans are ready to defend their country as the US considers a land attack.

The president held a rally in Caracas amid heightened tensions with Mr Trump's administration, which has been targeting what it says are boats carrying drug smugglers.

Mr Trump met his national security team on Monday evening, having warned last week that land strikes would start "very soon".

It has not been confirmed what was discussed at the meeting. But White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters: "There's many options at the president's disposal that are on the table - and I'll let him speak on those."

US forces have carried out at least 21 strikes on boats it claims were carrying narcotics to its shores over the last few months.

Mr Maduro - considered a dictator by many in the West - said on Monday that Venezuelans were ready "to defend [the country] and lead it to the path of peace".

"We have lived through 22 weeks of aggression that can only be described as psychological terrorism," he said.

Venezuela has said the boat attacks, which have killed more than 80 people, amount to murder - and that Mr Trump's true motivation is to oust Mr Maduro and access its oil.

(c) Sky News 2025: Hegseth cites 'fog of war' in defending follow-up strike on alleged drug boat