At least 105 people have been killed in 29 known attacks since the beginning of September
The United States Armed Forces reported on Monday that they carried out another attack against a vessel that, according to the military source, was smuggling drugs in the eastern Pacific Ocean, killing one person.
According to the United States Southern Command in a social media post: “Intelligence confirmed that the low-profile vessel was transiting known drug trafficking routes in the eastern Pacific and was involved in drug trafficking operations.”
The entity did not provide any evidence that the vessel was involved in drug smuggling.
A video published by the US Southern Command shows splashes of water near one of the sides of the vessel and, after a second salvo, the rear part of the vessel was engulfed in flames, which then engulfed the vessel. In the last second of the video, the vessel can be seen drifting with a large patch of fire around it.
Videos of previous attacks on vessels by US forces showed small boats suddenly exploding, suggesting missile attacks. Other videos showed rocket-like projectiles hitting the vessels.
The Administration of North American President Donald Trump has stated that these attacks aim to prevent the flow of drugs to the United States and increase pressure on Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, who the White House accuses of being the leader of a drug trafficking cartel.
At least 105 people have been killed in 29 known attacks since the beginning of September.
These attacks have faced increasing scrutiny from politicians and human rights activists, both inside and outside the United States, who allege that these attacks constitute the practice of extrajudicial summary executions.
At the same time, the United States Coast Guard has intensified efforts to intercept oil tankers in the Caribbean Sea, as part of the Trump Administration’s growing campaign against Maduro.
