According to a senior defense spokesperson, the American military executed a fatal strike on a boat in the eastern Pacific, killing four individuals.
“A US joint task force carried out a deadly attack on a vessel operated by a Designated Terrorist Organization in open sea. Surveillance verified the vessel was traveling along a known drug smuggling route and was involved in narco-trafficking operations. A total of four male drug traffickers were eliminated, and no US military forces were harmed.”
The statement comes a day after an announcement regarding a blockade of all sanctioned oil tankers entering and leaving Venezuela. In that announcement on social media, the American leader alleged 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 stated it had conducted strikes on three boats suspected of trafficking drugs in the Pacific, leading to the deaths of eight people. Since 2 September, over 20 military engagements have killed at least 99 individuals, most off the coast of Venezuela.
The government has faced increasing pressure to release video of a 2 September vessel attack. However, the defense secretary have declined to do so. The administration has supported its campaign as a successful operation, arguing it has stopped drugs from entering US shores and has dismissed concerns that it is exceeding the limits of lawful warfare.
While the administration has stated the operation is about halting drugs headed to the US, remarks from a top official appeared to suggest a broader political objective. In a recent interview, the chief of staff remarked the president “aims to keep on blowing boats up until Venezuela's president cries uncle.”
This suggests the series of strikes may be part of a push to oust Venezuela's current leadership.
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Gregory Thomas
Gregory Thomas