US Military Conducts Deadly Attack in Eastern Pacific, Resulting in Four Fatalities
According to a high-ranking defense spokesperson, the US military carried out a lethal kinetic engagement on a vessel in the Pacific Ocean, resulting in the deaths of four individuals.
“Joint Task Force Southern Spear conducted a deadly attack on a vessel linked to a terrorist group in international waters. Surveillance confirmed the vessel was traveling along a known drug smuggling route and was involved in illicit drug transport. All four male narco-terrorists were killed, and no American forces were harmed.”
Background and Recent Strikes
The statement follows a day after a declaration regarding a naval blockade of all targeted oil tankers entering and leaving Venezuela. In that announcement on social media, the American leader alleged Venezuela of using oil profits to fund narcotics smuggling and criminal activities, vowing to escalate the military presence.
Only on Tuesday, the Pentagon said it had conducted strikes on three boats suspected of trafficking drugs in the Pacific, killing eight people. Beginning on 2 September, over 20 military engagements have killed at least 99 people, most off the coast of Venezuela.
Government Justifies Tactics Amidst Pressure
The government has encountered increasing pressure to make public 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, arguing it has prevented drugs from reaching US shores and has dismissed concerns that it is exceeding the bounds of legal military action.
Although the administration has said the operation is about halting drugs headed to the US, remarks from a top official seemed to suggest a wider geopolitical aim. In a recent interview, the chief of staff said the leader “aims to keep on destroying vessels until the Venezuelan president cries uncle.”
This suggests the series of strikes may be part of a strategy to oust Venezuela's sitting government.
