• Pentagon will not release the unedited video of a September military strike that killed survivors.
• Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth cites longstanding classified policies for decision.
• Lawmakers express frustration and concern about potential war crime implications.
• Some Republicans call for broader access to the video among Congress members.
• Concerns raised over U.S. military operations linked to Venezuela.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced on December 16 that the Pentagon will not release the full, unedited video of a strike on a suspected drug trafficking boat that occurred on September 2. This strike, which involved multiple military actions, resulted in the deaths of two survivors following an initial attack that killed nine "narco-terrorists." Hegseth emphasized, "In keeping with long-standing Department of War policy... of course we're not going to release a top-secret full unedited video of that to the general public," according to Reuters and The Hill.

Following the strikes, which included one specifically targeting the survivors as they attempted to climb onto a wrecked boat, lawmakers, particularly Democrats, have pressed the Pentagon to release the video to assess its legality and the overall military campaign against drug trafficking in the region. Some Democratic senators asserted that the survivors were not a threat and should have been rescued instead of targeted, raising allegations of war crimes. "The administration came to this briefing empty-handed. We don't know what the ultimate goal is," remarked Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer, based on reports from Channel News Asia and Los Angeles Times.

Despite Hegseth's remarks, some Republicans, including Senator Lindsey Graham, have called for the video to be made available to all members of Congress, stressing the importance of transparency. "Release it. Make your own decisions. This is lawful," he stated, underscoring concerns that Congress has not been adequately informed about the strikes or the strategy behind them. According to updates from ABC News and The Hill, the Pentagon intends to share the video only with certain congressional committees.

The escalating criticisms regarding military actions in the Caribbean reveal deeper concerns over U.S.-Venezuela relations. Reports suggest that Trump's administration's campaign is increasingly focused on removing Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro rather than solely combating drug trafficking. As this situation unfolds, the lack of comprehensive communication from the Pentagon may continue to fuel concerns among lawmakers regarding the legality and effectiveness of U.S. military operations, according to CBS News and The Hill.