US Armed Forces Executes Lethal Attack in Eastern Pacific, Resulting in Four Deaths
According to a senior defense official, the US military executed a lethal strike on a boat in the eastern Pacific, resulting in the deaths of four people.
“A US joint task force carried out a deadly attack on a craft linked to a Designated Terrorist Organization in international waters. Surveillance confirmed the vessel was traveling along a established drug smuggling route and was involved in illicit drug transport. A total of four male narco-terrorists were eliminated, and no American forces were harmed.”
Context and Prior Strikes
The statement comes a day after a declaration regarding a 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 escalate the military presence.
Just on Tuesday, US defense officials said it had carried out strikes on three boats it accused of trafficking drugs 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.
Government Defends Actions Amid Scrutiny
The administration has encountered growing pressure to release video of a September 2nd vessel attack. But, the defense secretary have declined to do so. The administration has supported its campaign as a successful operation, arguing it has stopped drugs from entering US shores and has pushed back on concerns that it is exceeding the limits of legal military action.
While the administration has stated the campaign is about stopping drugs headed to the US, remarks from a top official appeared to suggest a broader political objective. In a recent interview, the chief of staff remarked the leader “aims to keep on destroying vessels until Venezuela's president surrenders or concedes.”
This suggests the series of strikes may be linked to a push to oust Venezuela's current government.
