US Armed Forces Executes Deadly Attack in Pacific, Resulting in 4 Fatalities
According to a high-ranking defense official, the American military executed a fatal strike on a boat in the eastern Pacific, resulting in the deaths of four people.
“Joint Task Force Southern Spear carried out a lethal kinetic strike on a vessel linked to a terrorist group in international waters. Surveillance verified the vessel was traveling along a established drug smuggling route and was engaged in illicit drug transport. All four male drug traffickers were killed, and no US military forces were harmed.”
Context and Prior Actions
This announcement comes a day after an announcement regarding a naval blockade of all targeted oil tankers entering and leaving Venezuela. That statement on social media, the American leader alleged Venezuela of using oil revenues to fund drug trafficking and criminal activities, vowing to increase the military buildup.
Only on the previous day, the Pentagon stated it had conducted strikes on three boats suspected of smuggling narcotics in the Pacific, killing eight people. Since 2 September, over 20 strikes have killed at least 99 people, the majority off the coast of Venezuela.
Government Defends Actions Amidst Scrutiny
The government has faced growing demands to release video of a 2 September vessel attack. But, officials have refused to do so. The administration has supported its efforts as a successful operation, saying it has stopped drugs from entering US shores and has pushed back on concerns that it is exceeding the limits of legal military action.
While the administration has stated the campaign is about halting drugs destined for the US, comments from a senior aide seemed to confirm a broader political objective. In a recent interview, the chief of staff remarked the leader “wants to keep on blowing boats up until Venezuela's president surrenders or concedes.”
This suggests the military campaign may be linked to a strategy to remove Venezuela's current government.
