As stated by a high-ranking military official, the American armed forces carried out a fatal strike on a boat in the eastern Pacific, killing four individuals.
“Joint Task Force Southern Spear conducted a lethal kinetic strike on a craft operated by a terrorist group in international waters. Surveillance confirmed the vessel was traveling along a established narco-trafficking route and was involved in illicit drug transport. A total of four male narco-terrorists were killed, and no US military forces were injured.”
This announcement follows a day after an announcement regarding a naval blockade of all sanctioned oil tankers entering and leaving Venezuela. In that announcement on social media, the US president accused Venezuela of using oil profits to fund drug trafficking and criminal activities, pledging to increase the military presence.
Only on the previous day, US defense officials said it had conducted strikes on three boats suspected 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.
The administration has faced increasing pressure to make public video of a 2 September vessel attack. However, officials have declined to do so. The administration has defended its efforts as a successful operation, saying it has prevented drugs from reaching US shores and has dismissed concerns that it is exceeding the limits of lawful warfare.
Although the administration has stated the operation is about halting drugs destined for the US, remarks from a top official appeared to suggest a broader political objective. In a recently published interview, the senior advisor remarked the president “aims to keep on destroying vessels until the Venezuelan president surrenders or concedes.”
This indicates the series of strikes may be part of a strategy to remove Venezuela's current government.
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Kenneth Bell
Kenneth Bell
Kenneth Bell