US Military Conducts Deadly Attack in Pacific, Resulting in 4 Deaths
According to a high-ranking defense spokesperson, the American armed forces carried out a fatal kinetic engagement on a boat in the Pacific Ocean, killing four people.
“Joint Task Force Southern Spear carried out a lethal kinetic strike on a vessel operated by a Designated Terrorist Organization in international waters. Surveillance confirmed the vessel was traveling along a known drug smuggling route and was involved in narco-trafficking operations. All four male narco-terrorists were killed, and no US military forces were injured.”
Background and Recent Strikes
The statement comes a day after a declaration regarding a blockade of all sanctioned oil tankers entering and leaving Venezuela. In that announcement on social media, the American leader accused Venezuela of using oil profits to fund narcotics smuggling and criminal activities, pledging to increase the military presence.
Only on the previous day, US defense officials stated it had conducted strikes on three boats suspected of trafficking drugs in the Pacific, leading to the deaths of eight people. Since 2 September, more than 20 military engagements have resulted in the deaths of at least 99 individuals, most off the coast of Venezuela.
Administration Justifies Tactics Amid Pressure
The government has faced increasing pressure to release video of a September 2nd vessel attack. However, 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 stretching the limits of legal military action.
Although the administration has said the campaign is about halting drugs headed to the US, comments from a top official seemed to suggest a wider geopolitical objective. In a recent interview, the senior advisor said the leader “aims to keep on destroying vessels until Venezuela's president cries uncle.”
This suggests the series of strikes may be linked to a strategy to remove Venezuela's current leadership.
