US Military Conducts Lethal Strike in Pacific, Resulting in 4 Fatalities
According to a high-ranking defense official, the American military executed a lethal kinetic engagement on a boat in the eastern Pacific, killing four people.
“Joint Task Force Southern Spear conducted a lethal kinetic strike on a craft linked to a terrorist group in international waters. Intelligence verified the vessel was transiting along a known drug smuggling route and was involved in narco-trafficking operations. All four male drug traffickers were killed, and no American forces were injured.”
Background and Prior Actions
The statement comes a day after a declaration regarding a naval blockade of all sanctioned oil tankers to and from Venezuela. That statement on social media, the American leader accused Venezuela of using oil profits to fund narcotics smuggling and criminal activities, pledging to escalate the military buildup.
Just on the previous day, US defense officials stated it had carried out strikes on three boats it accused of smuggling narcotics in the Pacific, killing eight people. Since 2 September, more than 20 military engagements have resulted in the deaths of at least 99 people, most off the coast of Venezuela.
Government Defends Tactics Amidst 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 campaign as a success, arguing it has stopped drugs from reaching US shores and has dismissed concerns that it is stretching the limits of lawful warfare.
While the administration has stated the operation is about stopping drugs destined for the US, comments from a top official seemed to suggest a wider political aim. In a recent interview, the senior advisor said the president “wants to keep on blowing boats up until Venezuela's president cries uncle.”
This indicates the military campaign may be linked to a push to remove Venezuela's current leadership.
