The US military conducted a significant strike on a boat in the eastern Pacific Ocean on December 17, leading to the death of four individuals. The operation, linked to drug trafficking efforts, was directed by Joint Task Force Southern Spear under the guidance of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. The announcement came from the US Southern Command (SOUTHCOM), which confirmed that no US personnel were harmed during the operation.
Details of the Strike
This recent strike marks the second military action against alleged drug-trafficking boats within a week. On December 15, US forces had already targeted three vessels in the eastern Pacific, resulting in eight fatalities. This brings the total number of deaths linked to these operations to at least 99 as part of a broader campaign known as Operation Southern Spear, initiated under the Trump administration.
Context of Increased Military Actions
The strikes are part of the US military’s intensified efforts in South America, with a particular focus on Venezuela. President Trump has accused the Venezuelan government of stealing American resources, including oil. In response, the administration has deployed thousands of troops and a carrier strike group to the Caribbean region.
Venezuelan Response
The Venezuelan government reacted strongly to these actions. President Nicolás Maduro characterized the US efforts as attempts at regime change and colonialism. He voiced his concerns during a statement in Caracas, saying, “It is simply a warmongering and colonialist pretense, and we have said so many times.”
Congressional Oversight
As military actions continue, lawmakers in Congress are demanding more transparency regarding the US operations targeting alleged drug boats. There has been scrutiny regarding a previous strike on September 2, which resulted in the deaths of two crew members who had survived an earlier attack. Following a private briefing, Defense Secretary Hegseth indicated that the Pentagon would not make the full video of the strikes available to the public.
- Operation Southern Spear leads to a total of 99 deaths in strikes on drug boats.
- Increased US military focus on Venezuela due to accusations of theft of resources.
- Congressional pressure for transparency regarding military operations.
Senate Democrats expressed frustration after being denied access to the unedited video of the September strike during a recent briefing with Hegseth. To address this, Congress included provisions in the annual defense policy bill, which withholds a portion of Hegseth’s travel budget until the full footage is made available to the Armed Services Committees.
