US Military Executes Lethal Attack in Eastern Pacific, Resulting in 4 Deaths
As stated by a senior defense official, the US military carried out a fatal strike on a boat in the eastern Pacific, resulting in the deaths of four people.
“Joint Task Force Southern Spear carried out a lethal kinetic strike on a craft linked to a Designated Terrorist Organization in international waters. Intelligence confirmed the vessel was transiting along a established drug smuggling route and was engaged in narco-trafficking operations. All four male drug traffickers were killed, and no US military forces were injured.”
Context and Recent Actions
This announcement comes a day after an announcement regarding a naval blockade of all sanctioned oil tankers to and from Venezuela. In that announcement on online platforms, the American leader alleged Venezuela of using oil revenues to fund drug trafficking and criminal activities, pledging to escalate the military buildup.
Just on the previous day, the Pentagon said it had carried out strikes on three boats suspected of trafficking drugs in the Pacific, killing eight people. Since 2 September, more than 20 strikes have resulted in the deaths of at least 99 individuals, most off the coast of Venezuela.
Government Justifies Actions Amid Scrutiny
The administration has faced increasing pressure to release video of a 2 September vessel attack. But, officials have declined to do so. The administration has defended its campaign as a success, saying it has stopped drugs from reaching US shores and has pushed back on concerns that it is stretching the limits of lawful warfare.
Although the administration has said the campaign is about stopping drugs destined for the US, comments from a top official seemed to confirm a wider geopolitical aim. In a recent interview, the chief of staff said the president “aims to keep on destroying vessels until Venezuela's president cries uncle.”
This indicates the military campaign may be part of a push to oust Venezuela's current government.
