US Military Conducts Lethal Attack in Pacific, Leading to 4 Fatalities
According to a senior military spokesperson, the American military carried out a lethal kinetic engagement on a boat in the eastern Pacific, resulting in the deaths of four individuals.
“Joint Task Force Southern Spear conducted a deadly attack on a vessel linked to a Designated Terrorist Organization in international waters. Surveillance confirmed the vessel was traveling along a known narco-trafficking route and was engaged in illicit drug transport. All four male narco-terrorists were killed, and no American forces were injured.”
Background and Recent Strikes
The statement comes 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 US president alleged Venezuela of using oil profits to fund drug trafficking and criminal activities, pledging to escalate the military presence.
Just on the previous day, US defense officials said it had carried out strikes on three boats suspected of smuggling narcotics in the Pacific, killing 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.
Government Defends Actions Amid Scrutiny
The administration has faced growing pressure to release video of a September 2nd vessel attack. However, officials have declined to do so. The administration has supported its campaign as a success, saying it has prevented drugs from entering US shores and has pushed back on concerns that it is stretching the bounds of legal military action.
While the administration has stated the campaign is about stopping drugs destined for the US, remarks from a top official appeared to suggest a wider geopolitical objective. In a recently published interview, the chief of staff remarked the president “wants to keep on destroying vessels until Venezuela's president cries uncle.”
This indicates the military campaign may be part of a push to oust Venezuela's current leadership.
