US Military Conducts Deadly Strike in Pacific, Resulting in Four Fatalities
According to a senior military official, the US military carried out a fatal kinetic engagement on a vessel in the Pacific Ocean, resulting in the deaths of four people.
“Joint Task Force Southern Spear carried out a deadly attack on a vessel operated by a terrorist group in international waters. Intelligence verified the vessel was transiting along a established drug smuggling route and was involved in illicit drug transport. All four male narco-terrorists were killed, and no US military forces were injured.”
Context and Prior Actions
This announcement comes a day after an announcement regarding a naval blockade of all targeted oil tankers entering and leaving Venezuela. In that announcement on social media, the American leader alleged Venezuela of using oil profits to fund narcotics smuggling and other crimes, vowing to increase the military presence.
Just on the previous day, US defense officials said 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, over 20 strikes have killed at least 99 people, most off the coast of Venezuela.
Administration Defends Tactics Amid Pressure
The administration has encountered growing demands to release video of a 2 September vessel attack. However, the defense secretary have refused to do so. The administration has defended its efforts as a success, saying it has stopped drugs from reaching US shores and has pushed back on concerns that it is exceeding the bounds of lawful warfare.
While the administration has said the operation is about halting drugs headed to the US, comments from a top official seemed to confirm a broader geopolitical aim. In a recent interview, the chief of staff said the president “wants to keep on destroying vessels until the Venezuelan president cries uncle.”
This indicates the military campaign may be linked to a strategy to oust Venezuela's sitting government.
