US Military Conducts Lethal Strike in Pacific, Leading to 4 Deaths
According to a senior military spokesperson, the US military carried out a lethal kinetic engagement on a vessel in the Pacific Ocean, killing four individuals.
“A US joint task force carried out a lethal kinetic strike on a craft linked to a terrorist group in open sea. Surveillance verified the vessel was transiting along a established narco-trafficking route and was involved in narco-trafficking operations. All four male drug traffickers were killed, and no American forces were harmed.”
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 online platforms, the American leader alleged Venezuela of using oil profits to fund narcotics smuggling and criminal activities, pledging to escalate the military presence.
Only on the previous day, the Pentagon stated it had carried out strikes on three boats suspected of trafficking drugs in the Pacific, leading to the deaths of eight people. Since 2 September, more than 20 military engagements have killed at least 99 people, most off the coast of Venezuela.
Government Defends Tactics Amid Scrutiny
The administration has encountered growing demands to make public video of a 2 September vessel attack. But, the defense secretary have declined to do so. The administration has supported its efforts as a success, arguing it has stopped drugs from entering US shores and has dismissed concerns that it is exceeding the limits of lawful warfare.
Although the administration has stated the campaign is about stopping drugs destined for the US, comments from a top official seemed to suggest a broader political objective. In a recent interview, the chief of staff remarked the president “wants to keep on destroying vessels until Venezuela's president cries uncle.”
This suggests the military campaign may be linked to a strategy to remove Venezuela's sitting government.
