American Armed Forces Executes Deadly Attack in Pacific, Resulting in 4 Deaths
According to a high-ranking defense spokesperson, the US military carried out a fatal strike on a boat in the Pacific Ocean, killing four individuals.
“A US joint task force carried out a lethal kinetic strike on a vessel linked to a terrorist group in open sea. Intelligence verified the vessel was transiting along a established narco-trafficking route and was involved in narco-trafficking operations. A total of four male drug traffickers were eliminated, and no US military forces were harmed.”
Background and Recent Strikes
The statement comes a day after a declaration regarding a blockade of all targeted oil tankers to and from Venezuela. In that announcement on social media, the US president alleged Venezuela of using oil revenues to fund drug trafficking and other crimes, pledging to increase the military buildup.
Only on the previous day, US defense officials said it had conducted strikes on three boats it accused of smuggling narcotics in the Pacific, killing eight people. Since 2 September, over 20 military engagements have resulted in the deaths of at least 99 individuals, the majority off the coast of Venezuela.
Administration Defends Actions Amid Pressure
The administration has encountered increasing pressure to release video of a 2 September vessel attack. But, officials have declined to do so. The administration has defended its efforts as a success, arguing it has stopped drugs from reaching US shores and has dismissed concerns that it is exceeding the limits of legal military action.
Although the administration has said the operation is about halting drugs destined for the US, remarks from a senior aide appeared to confirm a wider geopolitical objective. In a recent interview, the chief of staff said the president “wants to keep on destroying vessels until Venezuela's president surrenders or concedes.”
This indicates the military campaign may be linked to a strategy to remove Venezuela's sitting leadership.
