American Military Conducts Lethal Attack in Pacific, Resulting in 4 Fatalities
According to a high-ranking military spokesperson, the US military executed 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 craft operated by a Designated Terrorist Organization in international waters. Intelligence verified the vessel was traveling along a established narco-trafficking route and was engaged in narco-trafficking operations. A total of four male drug traffickers were killed, and no US military forces were injured.”
Background and Recent Strikes
This announcement comes a day after a declaration 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 profits to fund drug trafficking and other crimes, pledging to increase the military buildup.
Only on Tuesday, US defense officials stated it had carried out strikes on three boats it accused of trafficking drugs in the Pacific, leading to the deaths of eight people. Beginning on 2 September, more than 20 military engagements have killed at least 99 people, most off the coast of Venezuela.
Government Defends Actions Amidst Scrutiny
The administration has encountered growing pressure to make public video of a 2 September vessel attack. But, the defense secretary have refused to do so. The administration has supported its campaign as a successful operation, arguing it has stopped drugs from entering US shores and has pushed back on concerns that it is stretching the limits of lawful warfare.
Although the administration has said the campaign is about halting drugs destined for the US, remarks from a senior aide appeared to confirm a wider geopolitical aim. In a recently published interview, the senior advisor said the president “aims to keep on blowing boats up until Venezuela's president cries uncle.”
This suggests the military campaign may be part of a strategy to remove Venezuela's current government.
