US Armed Forces Conducts Deadly Attack in Pacific, Leading to Four Fatalities
According to a high-ranking military spokesperson, the US armed forces carried out a fatal kinetic engagement on a boat in the eastern Pacific, killing four people.
“A US joint task force conducted a lethal kinetic strike on a craft operated by a Designated Terrorist Organization in international waters. Intelligence verified 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.”
Context and Prior Actions
This announcement comes a day after a declaration regarding a blockade of all sanctioned oil tankers entering and leaving Venezuela. In that announcement on online platforms, the American leader accused Venezuela of using oil profits to fund drug trafficking and other crimes, pledging to increase the military buildup.
Just on Tuesday, US defense officials said it had conducted strikes on three boats it accused of smuggling narcotics in the Pacific, leading to the deaths of eight people. Beginning on 2 September, more than 20 military engagements have resulted in the deaths of at least 99 individuals, the majority off the coast of Venezuela.
Administration Justifies Actions Amidst Scrutiny
The government has faced growing pressure to make public video of a September 2nd vessel attack. However, the defense secretary have declined 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 bounds of legal military action.
Although the administration has stated the operation is about stopping drugs destined for the US, remarks from a top official appeared to confirm a wider political aim. In a recently published interview, the chief of staff remarked the leader “wants to keep on destroying vessels until Venezuela's president cries uncle.”
This suggests the military campaign may be part of a strategy to oust Venezuela's sitting government.
