US Armed Forces Executes Lethal Attack in Eastern Pacific, Leading to Four Deaths
According to a high-ranking defense spokesperson, the US military executed a lethal strike 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 terrorist group in international waters. Intelligence confirmed the vessel was traveling along a known narco-trafficking route and was engaged in narco-trafficking operations. A total of four male narco-terrorists were eliminated, and no US military forces were harmed.”
Context and Recent Actions
The statement follows a day after a declaration regarding a blockade of all sanctioned oil tankers entering and leaving Venezuela. In that announcement on online platforms, the US president accused Venezuela of using oil profits to fund narcotics smuggling and criminal activities, pledging to increase the military buildup.
Only on Tuesday, the Pentagon stated it had conducted strikes on three boats it accused of trafficking drugs in the Pacific, killing eight people. Since 2 September, more than 20 strikes have killed at least 99 people, the majority off the coast of Venezuela.
Administration Justifies Tactics Amidst Pressure
The government has encountered increasing demands to release video of a 2 September vessel attack. However, officials have refused to do so. The administration has supported its efforts as a successful operation, arguing it has stopped drugs from entering US shores and has pushed back on concerns that it is stretching the limits of lawful warfare.
Although the administration has stated the operation is about stopping drugs headed to the US, comments from a top official seemed to suggest a broader geopolitical aim. In a recently published interview, the chief of staff said the president “wants to keep on destroying vessels until the Venezuelan president surrenders or concedes.”
This indicates the military campaign may be part of a strategy to remove Venezuela's current government.
