American Military Conducts Lethal Strike in Pacific, Resulting in 4 Fatalities
According to a high-ranking military spokesperson, the US military carried out a fatal kinetic engagement on a boat in the Pacific Ocean, killing four people.
“A US joint task force conducted a lethal kinetic strike on a craft linked to a terrorist group in open sea. Surveillance confirmed the vessel was transiting along a known drug smuggling route and was involved in narco-trafficking operations. A total of four male narco-terrorists were killed, and no American forces were harmed.”
Background and Recent Strikes
The statement follows a day after an announcement regarding a blockade of all targeted oil tankers to and from Venezuela. In that announcement on online platforms, the US president alleged Venezuela of using oil profits to fund narcotics smuggling and other crimes, vowing to escalate the military buildup.
Just on Tuesday, the Pentagon stated it had carried out strikes on three boats suspected of smuggling narcotics in the Pacific, killing eight people. Beginning on 2 September, more than 20 strikes have killed at least 99 people, most off the coast of Venezuela.
Administration Defends Actions Amid Scrutiny
The administration has encountered increasing demands to make public video of a September 2nd vessel attack. But, officials have refused to do so. The administration has defended its campaign as a successful operation, saying it has prevented drugs from entering US shores and has dismissed concerns that it is stretching the bounds of lawful warfare.
While the administration has said the campaign is about stopping drugs destined for the US, comments from a senior aide seemed to confirm a wider political objective. In a recent interview, the chief of staff said the president “wants to keep on destroying vessels until the Venezuelan president surrenders or concedes.”
This suggests the military campaign may be part of a strategy to oust Venezuela's current leadership.
