American Military Executes Deadly Attack in Pacific, Resulting in 4 Deaths
According to a senior military official, the American military carried out a lethal kinetic engagement on a vessel in the eastern Pacific, killing four people.
“A US joint task force carried out a deadly attack on a craft operated by a Designated Terrorist Organization in open sea. Intelligence confirmed the vessel was traveling along a known narco-trafficking route and was engaged in illicit drug transport. All four male drug traffickers were eliminated, and no US military forces were injured.”
Context and Recent Strikes
This announcement follows a day after an announcement regarding a blockade of all targeted oil tankers to and from Venezuela. In that announcement on online platforms, the US president accused Venezuela of using oil profits to fund drug trafficking and criminal activities, vowing to escalate the military presence.
Only on Tuesday, US defense officials said it had carried out strikes on three boats suspected 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, most off the coast of Venezuela.
Administration Justifies Tactics Amidst Pressure
The administration has encountered increasing demands to release video of a 2 September vessel attack. However, officials have declined to do so. The administration has supported its campaign as a success, arguing it has prevented drugs from reaching US shores and has dismissed concerns that it is stretching the bounds of legal military action.
While the administration has said the operation is about stopping drugs destined for the US, remarks from a top official appeared to suggest a broader political aim. In a recent interview, the senior advisor said the president “aims to keep on destroying vessels until Venezuela's president cries uncle.”
This indicates the series of strikes may be linked to a strategy to oust Venezuela's current government.
