US Armed Forces Conducts Deadly Attack in Pacific, Leading to 4 Deaths
As stated by a high-ranking military spokesperson, the US armed forces executed a fatal kinetic engagement on a vessel in the Pacific Ocean, killing four individuals.
“A US joint task force conducted a lethal kinetic strike on a craft operated by a terrorist group in open sea. Intelligence verified the vessel was transiting along a established drug smuggling route and was engaged in narco-trafficking operations. All four male narco-terrorists were killed, and no American forces were injured.”
Context and Recent Actions
The statement follows a day after a declaration regarding a naval blockade of all targeted oil tankers to and from Venezuela. That statement on social media, the American leader alleged Venezuela of using oil profits to fund drug trafficking and other crimes, pledging to increase the military buildup.
Only on the previous day, 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. Beginning on 2 September, over 20 military engagements have resulted in the deaths of at least 99 people, most off the coast of Venezuela.
Government Defends Actions Amidst Pressure
The administration has faced increasing demands to make public video of a September 2nd vessel attack. However, officials have declined to do so. The administration has supported its campaign as a success, saying it has prevented drugs from reaching US shores and has pushed back on concerns that it is stretching the bounds of lawful warfare.
Although the administration has said the operation is about stopping drugs headed to the US, comments from a senior aide seemed to confirm a wider geopolitical aim. 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 series of strikes may be part of a push to oust Venezuela's current government.
