US and Venezuela report separate incidents involving military strikes

US President Donald Trump has announced that the US military conducted a strike against a facility in Venezuela where boats allegedly load and transport drugs. The attack occurred at a dock area, according to Trump, who stated that it was used for this purpose.

The incident is part of an ongoing pressure campaign by the US against Venezuela, which has been accused of involvement in drug trafficking. However, Venezuelan officials have denied any such involvement.

Trump did not provide further details about the strike, including whether it was carried out by the military or the CIA. He also declined to disclose the location of the facility where the attack took place.

The latest US action is part of a broader effort to target alleged drug-smuggling operations bound for the US. The Trump administration has escalated its pressure campaign against Venezuela since early September, resulting in at least 107 reported deaths in 30 strikes.

The strike is considered by some as an extrajudicial killing under both US and international law. The US Southern Command described the victims of the latest strike as “two male narco-terrorists” engaged in “narco-trafficking operations”.

The incident comes amid a large US military buildup in the region, including over 15,000 troops, as well as the seizure of several oil tankers as part of a blockade ordered by Trump. The White House has previously stated that the US would move beyond targeting boats and strike on land “soon”.

Source: Al Jazeera