US Military Conducts Lethal 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 Pacific Ocean, killing four people.
“A US joint task force conducted a lethal kinetic strike on a craft operated by a terrorist group in open sea. Surveillance confirmed the vessel was traveling along a known drug smuggling route and was engaged in illicit drug transport. All four male narco-terrorists were killed, and no American forces were injured.”
Background and Prior Actions
This announcement comes a day after a declaration regarding a blockade of all sanctioned oil tankers to and from Venezuela. In that announcement on online platforms, the US president alleged Venezuela of using oil revenues to fund narcotics smuggling and other crimes, pledging to increase the military buildup.
Only on Tuesday, the Pentagon said it had carried out strikes on three boats it accused of trafficking drugs in the Pacific, leading to the deaths of eight people. Beginning on 2 September, over 20 strikes have resulted in the deaths of at least 99 individuals, the majority off the coast of Venezuela.
Government Defends Tactics Amid Scrutiny
The administration has faced increasing demands to release video of a 2 September vessel attack. But, the defense secretary have declined to do so. The administration has defended its campaign as a success, saying it has stopped drugs from entering US shores and has dismissed concerns that it is stretching the bounds 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 suggest a wider geopolitical objective. In a recent interview, the chief of staff said the leader “wants to keep on destroying vessels until Venezuela's president surrenders or concedes.”
This suggests the military campaign may be linked to a push to remove Venezuela's sitting leadership.
