American Military Conducts Deadly Strike in Pacific, Resulting in Four Fatalities
According to a high-ranking military official, the US military carried out a fatal kinetic engagement on a vessel in the eastern Pacific, resulting in the deaths of four people.
“A US joint task force carried out a lethal kinetic strike on a craft operated by a terrorist group in open sea. Intelligence confirmed the vessel was traveling along a established drug smuggling route and was engaged in illicit drug transport. A total of four male drug traffickers were killed, and no US military forces were injured.”
Context and Prior Actions
The statement comes a day after an announcement regarding a blockade of all sanctioned oil tankers entering and leaving Venezuela. That statement on social media, the American leader accused Venezuela of using oil revenues to fund narcotics smuggling and criminal activities, vowing to increase the military presence.
Only on the previous day, US defense officials said it had conducted strikes on three boats it accused of trafficking drugs in the Pacific, killing eight people. Since 2 September, more than 20 strikes have killed at least 99 individuals, most off the coast of Venezuela.
Government Defends Actions Amid Pressure
The administration has faced increasing demands to make public video of a September 2nd vessel attack. However, the defense secretary have refused to do so. The administration has defended its campaign as a success, arguing it has stopped drugs from entering US shores and has dismissed concerns that it is stretching the limits of lawful warfare.
Although the administration has stated the operation is about halting drugs headed to the US, comments from a senior aide appeared to confirm a wider geopolitical aim. In a recently published interview, the chief of staff said the leader “aims to keep on blowing boats up until Venezuela's president cries uncle.”
This indicates the military campaign may be part of a push to oust Venezuela's sitting leadership.
