US Armed Forces Executes Deadly Strike in Eastern Pacific, Leading to 4 Deaths
According to a senior military spokesperson, the US military carried out a fatal kinetic engagement on a boat in the eastern Pacific, killing four people.
“Joint Task Force Southern Spear conducted a deadly attack on a vessel operated by a Designated Terrorist Organization in open sea. Intelligence verified the vessel was traveling along a known narco-trafficking route and was engaged in illicit drug transport. All four male drug traffickers were killed, and no US military forces were injured.”
Background and Prior Strikes
This announcement follows a day after an announcement regarding a blockade of all targeted oil tankers entering and leaving Venezuela. That statement on social media, the US president accused Venezuela of using oil profits to fund drug trafficking and other crimes, vowing to increase the military buildup.
Just on the previous day, the Pentagon stated it had conducted strikes on three boats suspected of smuggling narcotics in the Pacific, leading to the deaths of eight people. Beginning on 2 September, more than 20 strikes have resulted in the deaths of at least 99 people, most off the coast of Venezuela.
Administration Defends Tactics Amid Scrutiny
The administration has faced growing demands to make public video of a 2 September vessel attack. However, officials have refused to do so. The administration has supported its campaign as a successful operation, saying it has stopped drugs from reaching US shores and has pushed back on concerns that it is stretching the limits of lawful warfare.
Although the administration has stated the operation is about halting drugs headed to the US, comments from a senior aide seemed to confirm a wider geopolitical aim. In a recently published interview, the chief of staff said the leader “wants to keep on destroying vessels until Venezuela's president cries uncle.”
This indicates the series of strikes may be part of a strategy to oust Venezuela's sitting leadership.