US Armed Forces Executes Lethal Strike in Pacific, Leading to 4 Fatalities
As stated by a high-ranking defense official, the US military executed a fatal kinetic engagement on a vessel in the eastern Pacific, resulting in the deaths of four individuals.
“Joint Task Force Southern Spear conducted a deadly attack on a craft linked to a terrorist group in open sea. Surveillance verified the vessel was traveling along a established drug smuggling route and was engaged in narco-trafficking operations. A total of four male narco-terrorists were killed, and no US military forces were harmed.”
Background and Prior Strikes
This announcement follows a day after a declaration regarding a blockade of all sanctioned oil tankers to and from Venezuela. In that announcement on social media, the US president alleged Venezuela of using oil profits to fund narcotics smuggling and other crimes, pledging to escalate the military presence.
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, leading to the deaths of eight people. Since 2 September, more than 20 strikes have killed at least 99 individuals, the majority off the coast of Venezuela.
Government Justifies Actions Amidst Pressure
The administration has faced increasing pressure to release video of a September 2nd vessel attack. However, officials have refused 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 stretching the bounds of lawful warfare.
Although the administration has said the operation is about stopping drugs headed to the US, comments from a top official seemed to confirm a broader political objective. In a recently published interview, the senior advisor remarked the leader “wants to keep on destroying vessels until Venezuela's president cries uncle.”
This indicates the military campaign may be part of a push to remove Venezuela's sitting government.
