🔗 Share this article

According to a high-ranking military spokesperson, the US military executed a fatal kinetic engagement on a boat in the Pacific Ocean, resulting in the deaths of four individuals.

“Joint Task Force Southern Spear conducted a deadly attack on a craft operated by a Designated Terrorist Organization in international waters. Surveillance verified the vessel was traveling along a established narco-trafficking route and was engaged in illicit drug transport. A total of four male narco-terrorists were killed, and no American forces were harmed.”

Background and Prior Actions

This announcement follows a day after an announcement regarding a blockade of all sanctioned oil tankers entering and leaving Venezuela. That statement on online platforms, the American leader alleged Venezuela of using oil revenues to fund drug trafficking and other crimes, vowing to increase the military buildup.

Only on the previous day, the Pentagon stated it had carried out strikes on three boats it accused of smuggling narcotics in the Pacific, killing eight people. Beginning on 2 September, more than 20 military engagements have killed at least 99 people, the majority off the coast of Venezuela.

Government Justifies Actions Amid Scrutiny

The administration has encountered growing demands to release video of a September 2nd vessel attack. But, the defense secretary have refused to do so. The administration has supported its campaign as a successful operation, arguing it has prevented drugs from entering US shores and has pushed back on concerns that it is exceeding the limits of lawful warfare.

While the administration has stated the operation is about halting drugs headed to the US, comments from a senior aide appeared to suggest a wider political objective. In a recently published interview, the chief of staff said the leader “aims to keep on destroying vessels until the Venezuelan president cries uncle.”

This suggests the series of strikes may be part of a push to remove Venezuela's current government.