US Military Conducts Deadly Attack in Pacific, Leading to 4 Deaths
As stated by a senior defense official, the US military executed a fatal strike on a boat in the eastern Pacific, resulting in the deaths of four people.
“A US joint task force conducted a deadly attack on a vessel operated by a Designated Terrorist Organization in international waters. Intelligence confirmed the vessel was transiting along a known narco-trafficking route and was involved in illicit drug transport. A total of four male drug traffickers were eliminated, and no American forces were harmed.”
Context and Prior Actions
This announcement follows a day after an announcement regarding a blockade of all sanctioned oil tankers to and from Venezuela. In that announcement on online platforms, the American leader accused Venezuela of using oil revenues to fund narcotics smuggling and other crimes, pledging to escalate the military presence.
Just on Tuesday, the Pentagon said it had conducted strikes on three boats it accused of smuggling narcotics in the Pacific, killing eight people. Since 2 September, more than 20 strikes have killed at least 99 people, most off the coast of Venezuela.
Government Defends Tactics Amid Pressure
The administration has faced increasing demands to release video of a September 2nd vessel attack. However, the defense secretary have refused to do so. The administration has defended its campaign as a success, saying it has stopped drugs from reaching US shores and has dismissed concerns that it is stretching the limits of legal military action.
Although the administration has stated the operation is about stopping drugs destined for the US, remarks from a senior aide appeared to suggest a wider geopolitical objective. In a recent interview, the chief of staff remarked the president “aims to keep on blowing boats up until Venezuela's president cries uncle.”
This suggests the series of strikes may be linked to a strategy to remove Venezuela's sitting government.
