As stated by a senior military spokesperson, the US armed forces carried out a lethal strike on a boat in the eastern Pacific, killing four people.
“A US joint task force conducted a lethal kinetic strike on a craft operated by a terrorist group in open sea. Surveillance verified the vessel was traveling along a known narco-trafficking route and was engaged in illicit drug transport. All four male drug traffickers were eliminated, and no US military forces were injured.”
Background and Recent Actions
The statement follows a day after a declaration regarding a naval blockade of all targeted oil tankers to and from Venezuela. In that announcement on social media, the American leader accused Venezuela of using oil revenues to fund narcotics smuggling and criminal activities, vowing to increase the military buildup.
Only on Tuesday, US defense officials stated it had carried out strikes on three boats it accused of trafficking drugs in the Pacific, leading to the deaths of eight people. Beginning on 2 September, over 20 military engagements have resulted in the deaths of at least 99 individuals, the majority off the coast of Venezuela.
Administration Justifies Tactics Amidst Scrutiny
The government has faced increasing demands to make public video of a September 2nd vessel attack. However, officials have declined to do so. The administration has supported its campaign as a success, arguing it has prevented drugs from reaching US shores and has dismissed concerns that it is stretching the limits of lawful warfare.
Although the administration has said the operation is about stopping drugs headed to the US, remarks from a senior aide seemed to suggest a broader geopolitical objective. In a recently published interview, the chief of staff said the leader “aims to keep on blowing boats up until Venezuela's president surrenders or concedes.”
This suggests the military campaign may be part of a push to oust Venezuela's sitting government.
