American Armed Forces Conducts Deadly Attack in Eastern Pacific, Leading to 4 Fatalities
According to a senior defense spokesperson, the American military carried out a lethal kinetic engagement on a vessel in the Pacific Ocean, killing four individuals.
“A US joint task force conducted a deadly attack on a craft operated by a Designated Terrorist Organization in open sea. Intelligence confirmed the vessel was transiting along a known drug smuggling route and was engaged in narco-trafficking operations. A total of four male drug traffickers were killed, and no US military forces were harmed.”
Background and Recent Actions
This announcement follows 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 revenues to fund narcotics smuggling and other crimes, vowing to escalate the military buildup.
Only on Tuesday, the Pentagon stated it had conducted strikes on three boats it accused of smuggling narcotics in the Pacific, leading to the deaths of eight people. Beginning on 2 September, more than 20 strikes have killed at least 99 individuals, the majority off the coast of Venezuela.
Government Defends Actions Amid Pressure
The administration has encountered growing demands to make public video of a September 2nd vessel attack. But, the defense secretary have declined to do so. The administration has supported its efforts as a success, arguing it has prevented drugs from entering US shores and has dismissed concerns that it is exceeding the bounds of lawful warfare.
Although the administration has stated the campaign is about stopping drugs destined for the US, comments from a top official seemed to suggest a broader political objective. In a recent interview, the senior advisor said the president “aims 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 government.
