As stated by a high-ranking defense spokesperson, the US military executed a lethal strike on a vessel in the eastern Pacific, resulting in the deaths of four people.
“Joint Task Force Southern Spear carried out a deadly attack on a vessel linked to a Designated Terrorist Organization in international waters. Intelligence confirmed the vessel was transiting along a established narco-trafficking route and was engaged in illicit drug transport. A total of four male narco-terrorists were eliminated, and no American forces were harmed.”
Background and Prior Actions
This announcement follows a day after a declaration regarding a naval blockade of all sanctioned oil tankers to and from Venezuela. That statement on social media, the US president accused Venezuela of using oil revenues to fund narcotics smuggling and other crimes, vowing to increase the military presence.
Just on the previous day, US defense officials stated it had conducted strikes on three boats it accused of smuggling narcotics in the Pacific, leading to the deaths of eight people. Since 2 September, over 20 strikes have resulted in the deaths of at least 99 individuals, the majority off the coast of Venezuela.
Government Justifies Tactics Amid Pressure
The government has encountered increasing pressure to release video of a 2 September vessel attack. But, officials have refused to do so. The administration has supported its campaign as a successful operation, saying it has stopped drugs from reaching US shores and has dismissed concerns that it is stretching the bounds of lawful warfare.
Although the administration has said the operation is about stopping drugs headed to the US, remarks from a top official appeared to suggest a wider geopolitical objective. In a recent interview, the chief of staff said the leader “wants to keep on destroying vessels until Venezuela's president cries uncle.”
This indicates the series of strikes may be linked to a strategy to remove Venezuela's sitting leadership.
