🔗 Share this article

As stated by a high-ranking military official, the US armed forces executed a lethal strike on a vessel in the eastern Pacific, resulting in the deaths of four individuals.

“A US joint task force carried out a deadly attack on a vessel linked to a Designated Terrorist Organization in open sea. Intelligence confirmed the vessel was traveling along a established narco-trafficking route and was involved in narco-trafficking operations. All four male drug traffickers were killed, and no US military forces were harmed.”

Context and Recent Actions

This announcement follows a day after a declaration regarding a blockade of all targeted oil tankers entering and leaving Venezuela. That statement on online platforms, the American leader alleged Venezuela of using oil profits to fund drug trafficking and criminal activities, vowing to escalate the military presence.

Only on the previous day, the Pentagon said it had conducted strikes on three boats it accused of smuggling narcotics in the Pacific, killing eight people. Beginning on 2 September, over 20 military engagements have resulted in the deaths of at least 99 people, most off the coast of Venezuela.

Government Defends Actions Amidst Scrutiny

The government has faced growing pressure to make public video of a 2 September vessel attack. However, the defense secretary have refused to do so. The administration has defended its campaign as a success, saying it has stopped drugs from reaching US shores and has pushed back on concerns that it is exceeding the bounds of legal military action.

While the administration has stated the campaign is about stopping drugs headed to the US, remarks from a top official appeared to confirm a broader political objective. In a recently published interview, the senior advisor remarked the leader “aims to keep on blowing boats up until the Venezuelan president cries uncle.”

This indicates the military campaign may be linked to a strategy to oust Venezuela's current leadership.