American Armed Forces Conducts Deadly Attack in Eastern Pacific, Leading to 4 Deaths
According to a senior military official, the US armed forces carried out a fatal kinetic engagement on a vessel in the eastern Pacific, killing four individuals.
“A US joint task force carried out a deadly attack on a craft operated by a Designated Terrorist Organization in international waters. Surveillance verified 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 American forces were injured.”
Background and Prior Strikes
This announcement comes a day after a declaration regarding a blockade of all sanctioned oil tankers entering and leaving Venezuela. That statement on online platforms, the US president accused Venezuela of using oil revenues to fund narcotics smuggling and other crimes, vowing to increase the military buildup.
Just on the previous day, the Pentagon stated it had conducted strikes on three boats suspected of smuggling narcotics in the Pacific, killing eight people. Since 2 September, over 20 strikes have killed at least 99 people, the majority off the coast of Venezuela.
Administration Justifies Tactics Amidst Pressure
The administration has encountered growing demands to make public video of a September 2nd vessel attack. But, officials have refused to do so. The administration has supported its efforts as a successful operation, saying it has stopped drugs from entering US shores and has dismissed concerns that it is stretching the limits of lawful warfare.
Although the administration has stated the operation is about halting drugs destined for the US, comments from a senior aide seemed to confirm a wider geopolitical objective. In a recently published interview, the senior advisor remarked the leader “aims to keep on blowing boats up until the Venezuelan president surrenders or concedes.”
This indicates the series of strikes may be part of a strategy to oust Venezuela's current government.
