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American military have killed four persons in an attack on a boat near Venezuela that was allegedly transporting narcotics, according to Pentagon chief statements.

"This operation was carried out in international waters just off the coast of Venezuela while the ship was moving significant quantities of drugs - headed to America to harm our citizens," officials declared in a public statement.

This represents the most recent in a series of lethal attacks that the US has conducted on vessels in open seas it asserts are participating in "drug smuggling".

The operations have attracted criticism in states including Venezuela and Colombia, with some jurisprudence specialists labeling the operations as a breach of global legal standards.

Mission Information

Military officials stated the operation was conducted in the US Southern Command's area of responsibility, which encompasses most of South America and the Caribbean.

"Collected data, certainly, verified that this ship was trafficking narcotics, the persons on the vessel were narco-terrorists, and they were using a recognized drug smuggling transportation path," officials stated about the recent attack.

"These strikes will persist until the attacks on the American people are eliminated!!!!"

The President also acknowledged the military action on digital platforms, claiming that the ship was carrying enough illegal substances "to kill 25 to 50 thousand individuals".

Questions and Controversy

Nevertheless, the US has failed to supply evidence for its assertions or any details about the backgrounds of those present on the ship.

There was no immediate response from Venezuela but its leader has earlier condemned the strikes and said his country will defend itself against US "aggression".

The recent fatal attack is the fourth instance by the US in a 30-day period.

Previously, officials had announced that eleven persons had been fatally struck in a strike against a drug-carrying ship in the tropical waters at the start of September.

Subsequently in the period, two distinct strikes within days of each other resulted in the deaths of a total of six persons.

Policy Background

This recently, a unauthorized document sent to Congress – covered by news organizations – said the US administration had now determined it was in a "internal military confrontation" with narcotics organizations.

This is notable because the administration is mandated by statute to inform Congress if it will deploy the armed forces, which suggests it aims to use more combat operations.

The US has presented its strikes on purported trafficking ships as self-protection, despite many jurisprudence authorities disputing their lawfulness.

Presenting this as an ongoing military confrontation is likely a method to rationalize using heightened wartime powers – for example eliminating "adversaries" even if they have not posed a immediate danger, or detaining people without limit.

These represent comparable privileges to those applied to different entities in earlier military situations.

Government officials have not provided the reasoning for why they seem to be designating illegal substances trade and related crimes as an "combat situation", or named which groups they think are threatening the US.

Authorities have earlier classified many organizations, such as those in Mexico, Ecuador and Venezuela, as threat entities – giving US agencies enhanced authorities in their handling of them.