US Military Conducts Deadly Strike in Pacific, Resulting in 4 Fatalities
As stated by a high-ranking defense official, the US military carried out a lethal kinetic engagement on a vessel in the eastern Pacific, resulting in the deaths of four individuals.
“Joint Task Force Southern Spear carried out a lethal kinetic strike on a vessel operated by a terrorist group in international waters. Surveillance verified the vessel was transiting along a known drug smuggling route and was involved in illicit drug transport. All four male drug traffickers were eliminated, and no American forces were injured.”
Context and Prior Strikes
The statement follows a day after a declaration regarding a naval blockade of all sanctioned oil tankers to and from Venezuela. In that announcement on social media, the US president alleged Venezuela of using oil profits to fund drug trafficking 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, killing 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 Defends Tactics Amidst Pressure
The administration has faced increasing pressure to release video of a September 2nd vessel attack. But, officials have declined to do so. The administration has defended its efforts as a successful operation, saying it has stopped drugs from reaching US shores and has pushed back on concerns that it is exceeding the limits of legal military action.
Although the administration has said the campaign is about stopping drugs headed to the US, remarks from a senior aide seemed to confirm a broader geopolitical aim. In a recent interview, the chief of staff remarked the leader “aims to keep on destroying vessels until the Venezuelan president cries uncle.”
This indicates the series of strikes may be linked to a push to remove Venezuela's sitting government.
