🔗 Share this article

According to a high-ranking military official, the US armed forces carried out a fatal strike on a boat in the Pacific Ocean, killing four people.

“Joint Task Force Southern Spear conducted a deadly attack on a craft linked to a terrorist group in international waters. Surveillance confirmed the vessel was traveling along a established drug smuggling route and was engaged in narco-trafficking operations. A total of four male drug traffickers were eliminated, and no US military forces were injured.”

Background and Prior Actions

This announcement comes a day after an announcement regarding a naval blockade of all sanctioned oil tankers to and from Venezuela. That statement on online platforms, the American leader accused Venezuela of using oil profits to fund narcotics smuggling and other crimes, pledging to escalate the military presence.

Just on the previous day, the Pentagon stated it had carried out strikes on three boats suspected of trafficking drugs in the Pacific, leading to the deaths of eight people. Beginning on 2 September, more than 20 military engagements have killed at least 99 people, most off the coast of Venezuela.

Administration Justifies Actions Amid Pressure

The government has encountered increasing pressure to release video of a September 2nd vessel attack. However, the defense secretary have declined to do so. The administration has supported its campaign as a success, saying it has prevented drugs from reaching US shores and has dismissed concerns that it is stretching the bounds of legal military action.

Although the administration has stated the campaign is about halting drugs destined for the US, comments from a top official appeared to confirm a broader geopolitical objective. In a recently published interview, the senior advisor said the president “aims to keep on destroying vessels until Venezuela's president surrenders or concedes.”

This indicates the series of strikes may be linked to a push to oust Venezuela's current leadership.