American Military Conducts Lethal Attack in Pacific, Leading to 4 Fatalities
As stated by a senior military official, the US military carried out a fatal kinetic engagement on a boat in the eastern Pacific, resulting in the deaths of four individuals.
“A US joint task force conducted a lethal kinetic strike on a craft linked to a Designated Terrorist Organization in international waters. Surveillance confirmed the vessel was traveling along a established narco-trafficking route and was involved in narco-trafficking operations. All four male drug traffickers were eliminated, and no American forces were injured.”
Background and Prior Strikes
This announcement follows a day after a declaration regarding a naval blockade of all sanctioned oil tankers entering and leaving Venezuela. In that announcement on social media, the US president alleged Venezuela of using oil revenues to fund narcotics smuggling and other crimes, vowing to escalate the military presence.
Just on the previous day, US defense officials said it had carried out strikes on three boats suspected of smuggling narcotics in the Pacific, leading to the deaths of eight people. Beginning on 2 September, over 20 strikes have resulted in the deaths of at least 99 people, the majority off the coast of Venezuela.
Government Justifies Tactics Amid Scrutiny
The administration has faced growing pressure to release 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 prevented drugs from reaching US shores and has pushed back on concerns that it is stretching the bounds of lawful warfare.
While the administration has stated the campaign is about stopping drugs destined for the US, remarks from a top official seemed to suggest a broader geopolitical objective. In a recent interview, the senior advisor said the leader “wants to keep on destroying vessels until the Venezuelan president surrenders or concedes.”
This suggests the military campaign may be part of a push to oust Venezuela's sitting government.
