The US Armed Forces carried out an attack against a vessel allegedly involved in drug trafficking in the Pacific Ocean this Monday (22), resulting in the death of one person.
“On December 22, under the direction of @Secwar Pete Hegseth of Joint Task Force Southern Spear carried out a lethal kinetic attack against a low-profile vessel operated by Designated Terrorist Organizations in international waters. Intelligence information confirmed that the low-profile vessel was in transit.”
On Dec. 22, at the direction of Pete Hegseth, Joint Task Force Southern Spear conducted a lethal kinetic strike on a low-profile vessel operated by Designated Terrorist Organizations in international waters. Intelligence confirmed the low-profile vessel was transiting…
— U.S. Southern Command (@Southcom)
Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) added that no American military personnel were injured in the attack.
At least 105 people have already been killed in attacks on suspected drug trafficking vessels, as part of Operation Southern Spear, a campaign that the Trump administration claims aims to combat drug trafficking.
Last week, American armed forces attacked two vessels allegedly involved in drug trafficking in the Eastern Pacific Ocean, killing five people.
United States increases pressure against Venezuela
The United States sent aircraft, vehicles, thousands of soldiers and an Armed Forces aircraft carrier strike group to the Caribbean, under the premise of combating drug trafficking.
The operations include several attacks on boats in both the Caribbean and the Pacific believed to be transporting drugs.
However, questions were raised about the legality of these actions.
In addition to attacks against vessels, the US is also putting pressure on the regime of Nicolás Maduro, dictator of Venezuela, who is accused by the White House of having links to drug trafficking and the Los Soles Cartel.
According to sources consulted by CNNDonald Trump’s government is drawing up plans for “the day after” Maduro’s ouster, but a decision has not yet been made on a direct attack on the country.
Trump spoke by phone with Maduro in late November, just days before the US classified him as a member of a foreign terrorist organization. The Venezuelan would have received an ultimatum to leave power and the country, but he failed to comply.
In another action that increased tension between the two countries, the United States seized an oil tanker near Venezuela, a measure classified as “brazen theft” and “an act of international piracy” by the Maduro regime.
Trump later announced a “total blockade” against Venezuela’s sanctioned oil tankers and said he will not let “anyone pass without due rights.”
