A US military strike on a vessel in the Eastern Pacific has resulted in the deaths of four individuals, the US military announced Wednesday evening. The incident occurs amidst escalating tensions between the United States and Venezuela, with Caracas requesting an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council to address what it describes as “ongoing American aggression.”
According to a statement released by the US Southern Command, intelligence indicated that the vessel was “transiting a known drug smuggling route in the Eastern Pacific and engaged in narcotics trafficking.” The statement further asserted that “four narco-terrorists were killed, and no US military personnel were harmed.”
This latest strike comes as the Trump administration intensifies pressure on Venezuela. For months, the US has increased its naval presence in the region, coupled with lethal strikes against boats suspected of involvement in drug smuggling operations.
With this latest attack, the total number of publicly acknowledged strikes on vessels has risen to 26, resulting in at least 99 fatalities, according to figures released by the Trump administration.
Last Tuesday, President Trump also announced a “blockade” designed to prevent sanctioned oil tankers from entering or leaving Venezuela, a further escalation of pressure on the government of President Nicolas Maduro.
In response to these actions, Venezuela has formally requested an emergency session of the UN Security Council to discuss what it characterizes as “continuous American aggression.” A diplomatic source at the United Nations indicated that the meeting is likely to take place next Tuesday.
Adding to the regional complexities, the President of Colombia has called for a renegotiation of the framework for relations between the United States and Latin American nations, emphasizing respect for national sovereignty.
In September, the Trump administration added Colombia to its list of countries deemed uncooperative in the war on drugs for the first time in nearly 30 years, reflecting strained relations between the White House and President Gustavo Petro.
