American Military Conducts Deadly Attack in Eastern Pacific, Leading to Four Deaths
According to a high-ranking military spokesperson, the US military carried out a lethal strike on a boat in the Pacific Ocean, killing four people.
“Joint Task Force Southern Spear conducted a lethal kinetic strike on a vessel operated by a Designated Terrorist Organization in open sea. Surveillance verified the vessel was traveling along a known narco-trafficking route and was involved in narco-trafficking operations. A total of four male narco-terrorists were killed, and no American forces were harmed.”
Context and Recent Actions
This announcement comes a day after an announcement regarding a blockade of all sanctioned oil tankers to and from Venezuela. In that announcement on online platforms, the American leader accused Venezuela of using oil profits to fund drug trafficking and other crimes, pledging to increase the military presence.
Just on Tuesday, the Pentagon said it had carried out strikes on three boats it accused of smuggling narcotics in the Pacific, killing eight people. Beginning on 2 September, more than 20 military engagements have killed at least 99 people, the majority off the coast of Venezuela.
Administration Defends Tactics Amid Scrutiny
The government has encountered growing demands to make public video of a 2 September vessel attack. But, the defense secretary have declined to do so. The administration has defended its efforts as a success, arguing it has prevented drugs from reaching US shores and has dismissed concerns that it is stretching the limits of legal military action.
While the administration has said the campaign is about stopping drugs headed to the US, comments from a top official appeared to suggest a broader geopolitical objective. In a recently published interview, the chief of staff said the leader “wants to keep on destroying vessels until Venezuela's president cries uncle.”
This suggests the series of strikes may be linked to a push to remove Venezuela's current leadership.
