US Military Executes Deadly Attack in Pacific, Resulting in Four Fatalities
According to a high-ranking military spokesperson, the US armed forces executed a fatal strike on a vessel in the eastern Pacific, resulting in the deaths of four individuals.
“Joint Task Force Southern Spear carried out a deadly attack on a craft linked to a terrorist group in open sea. Surveillance confirmed 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 harmed.”
Context and Prior Strikes
The statement comes a day after an announcement regarding a naval blockade of all sanctioned oil tankers to and from Venezuela. In that announcement on online platforms, the American leader alleged Venezuela of using oil revenues to fund drug trafficking and criminal activities, vowing to increase the military buildup.
Only on Tuesday, US defense officials stated it had conducted strikes on three boats suspected of trafficking drugs in the Pacific, killing eight people. Since 2 September, over 20 strikes have resulted in the deaths of at least 99 individuals, the majority off the coast of Venezuela.
Administration Defends Actions Amidst Scrutiny
The government has faced increasing demands to make public video of a 2 September vessel attack. But, the defense secretary have declined to do so. The administration has defended its efforts as a successful operation, arguing it has stopped drugs from entering US shores and has pushed back on concerns that it is stretching the bounds of lawful warfare.
Although the administration has stated the campaign is about halting drugs headed to the US, comments from a top official appeared to suggest a broader geopolitical aim. In a recently published interview, the senior advisor said the president “aims to keep on destroying vessels until Venezuela's president cries uncle.”
This suggests the series of strikes may be part of a strategy to remove Venezuela's sitting leadership.
