American Armed Forces Conducts Lethal Attack in Pacific, Resulting in 4 Deaths
As stated by a senior defense spokesperson, the US armed forces executed a fatal strike on a vessel in the eastern Pacific, killing four people.
“A US joint task force carried out a lethal kinetic strike on a vessel linked to a Designated Terrorist Organization in open sea. Intelligence verified the vessel was traveling along a established drug smuggling route and was engaged in illicit drug transport. A total of four male narco-terrorists were killed, and no American forces were harmed.”
Background and Recent Strikes
The statement follows a day after an announcement regarding a blockade of all targeted oil tankers to and from Venezuela. That statement on online platforms, the US president alleged Venezuela of using oil profits to fund narcotics smuggling and criminal activities, pledging to escalate the military presence.
Just on Tuesday, the Pentagon stated it had conducted strikes on three boats suspected of trafficking drugs in the Pacific, killing eight people. Since 2 September, over 20 military engagements have resulted in the deaths of at least 99 individuals, most off the coast of Venezuela.
Government Justifies Tactics Amidst Pressure
The government has faced increasing demands to release video of a 2 September vessel attack. But, the defense secretary have refused to do so. The administration has defended its campaign as a successful operation, saying it has prevented drugs from reaching US shores and has pushed back on concerns that it is exceeding the bounds of lawful warfare.
While the administration has stated the operation is about stopping drugs headed to the US, remarks from a senior aide appeared to suggest a broader geopolitical aim. In a recent interview, the chief of staff remarked the leader “aims to keep on blowing boats up until Venezuela's president surrenders or concedes.”
This suggests the military campaign may be linked to a push to remove Venezuela's sitting leadership.