American Armed Forces Executes Deadly Attack in Pacific, Resulting in Four Fatalities
According to a senior military spokesperson, the American military carried out a fatal kinetic engagement on a vessel in the Pacific Ocean, killing four people.
“Joint Task Force Southern Spear conducted a lethal kinetic strike on a vessel operated by a Designated Terrorist Organization in international waters. Intelligence confirmed the vessel was traveling along a established narco-trafficking route and was engaged in narco-trafficking operations. All four male drug traffickers were killed, and no American forces were injured.”
Background and Prior Actions
This announcement follows a day after a declaration regarding a naval blockade of all targeted oil tankers entering and leaving Venezuela. That statement on social media, the American leader accused Venezuela of using oil profits to fund drug trafficking and other crimes, pledging to increase 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, leading to the deaths of eight people. Beginning on 2 September, more than 20 military engagements have killed at least 99 people, the majority off the coast of Venezuela.
Government Justifies Tactics Amid Scrutiny
The government has faced increasing pressure to release video of a September 2nd vessel attack. But, the defense secretary have declined to do so. The administration has defended its efforts as a successful operation, saying it has prevented drugs from reaching US shores and has dismissed concerns that it is exceeding the limits of lawful warfare.
Although the administration has stated the operation is about stopping drugs destined for the US, remarks from a top official appeared to suggest a wider geopolitical objective. In a recently published interview, the chief of staff said the leader “aims to keep on blowing boats up until Venezuela's president cries uncle.”
This suggests the series of strikes may be linked to a push to remove Venezuela's current government.
