American Military Conducts Deadly Attack in Eastern Pacific, Resulting in 4 Deaths
As stated by a high-ranking defense official, the US military carried out a fatal kinetic engagement on a boat in the eastern Pacific, killing four people.
“A US joint task force carried out a deadly attack on a vessel linked to a Designated Terrorist Organization in international waters. Intelligence confirmed the vessel was transiting along a established narco-trafficking route and was engaged in illicit drug transport. A total of four male narco-terrorists were eliminated, and no American forces were injured.”
Context and Prior Actions
The statement follows a day after a declaration regarding a naval blockade of all sanctioned oil tankers entering and leaving Venezuela. That statement on social media, the US president accused Venezuela of using oil revenues to fund drug trafficking and other crimes, vowing to increase the military buildup.
Only on Tuesday, the Pentagon said it had carried out strikes on three boats suspected of smuggling narcotics in the Pacific, leading to the deaths of eight people. Since 2 September, over 20 strikes have resulted in the deaths of at least 99 individuals, most off the coast of Venezuela.
Government Justifies Actions Amidst Pressure
The government has encountered increasing pressure to release video of a September 2nd vessel attack. But, officials have refused to do so. The administration has supported its efforts as a success, arguing it has prevented drugs from reaching US shores and has dismissed concerns that it is stretching the limits of legal military action.
Although the administration has stated the operation is about halting drugs destined for the US, remarks from a top official seemed to suggest a wider geopolitical aim. In a recently published interview, the senior advisor said the president “wants to keep on destroying vessels until Venezuela's president cries uncle.”
This suggests the series of strikes may be linked to a strategy to oust Venezuela's current leadership.
