US Military Conducts Lethal Strike in Eastern Pacific, Leading to 4 Deaths
According to a high-ranking military official, the US military executed a fatal kinetic engagement on a vessel in the eastern Pacific, killing four people.
“Joint Task Force Southern Spear carried out a lethal kinetic strike on a vessel operated by a terrorist group in international waters. Surveillance verified the vessel was traveling along a established narco-trafficking route and was engaged in illicit drug transport. A total of four male narco-terrorists were killed, and no American forces were harmed.”
Context and Recent Strikes
The statement follows a day after a declaration regarding a naval blockade of all sanctioned oil tankers to and from Venezuela. That statement on online platforms, the US president accused Venezuela of using oil profits to fund narcotics smuggling and criminal activities, pledging to increase the military buildup.
Just on the previous day, the Pentagon said it had carried out strikes on three boats suspected of trafficking drugs in the Pacific, leading to the deaths of eight people. Beginning on 2 September, more than 20 strikes have killed at least 99 people, most off the coast of Venezuela.
Administration Justifies Tactics Amid Scrutiny
The administration has encountered growing demands to release video of a 2 September vessel attack. But, the defense secretary have refused to do so. The administration has defended its efforts as a success, saying it has prevented drugs from reaching US shores and has dismissed concerns that it is exceeding the bounds of lawful warfare.
Although the administration has said the campaign is about stopping drugs headed to the US, comments from a top official appeared to confirm a wider political aim. In a recent interview, the chief of staff remarked the president “wants to keep on blowing boats up until Venezuela's president cries uncle.”
This suggests the military campaign may be linked to a push to oust Venezuela's sitting government.
