US Armed Forces Conducts Deadly Strike in Eastern Pacific, Leading to Four Deaths
According to a high-ranking defense spokesperson, the American military executed a lethal strike on a boat in the eastern Pacific, resulting in the deaths of four individuals.
“Joint Task Force Southern Spear conducted a deadly attack on a craft linked to a terrorist group in open sea. Intelligence confirmed the vessel was transiting along a known narco-trafficking route and was involved in illicit drug transport. All four male narco-terrorists were killed, and no American forces were harmed.”
Background and Prior Strikes
The statement follows a day after a declaration regarding a blockade of all sanctioned oil tankers entering and leaving Venezuela. That statement on social media, the US president accused Venezuela of using oil revenues to fund drug trafficking and other crimes, vowing to escalate the military presence.
Just on Tuesday, the Pentagon said it had conducted strikes on three boats it accused of trafficking drugs in the Pacific, killing eight people. Beginning on 2 September, more than 20 strikes have killed at least 99 individuals, the majority off the coast of Venezuela.
Administration Defends Tactics Amidst Pressure
The administration has faced growing demands to release video of a September 2nd vessel attack. But, the defense secretary have refused to do so. The administration has supported its efforts as a success, arguing it has prevented drugs from reaching US shores and has dismissed concerns that it is stretching the limits of legal military action.
Although the administration has said the operation is about halting drugs headed to the US, remarks from a senior aide seemed to suggest a wider geopolitical objective. In a recently published interview, the senior advisor remarked the leader “aims to keep on destroying vessels until the Venezuelan president cries uncle.”
This indicates the military campaign may be part of a strategy to remove Venezuela's sitting leadership.
