🔗 Share this article

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

“A US joint task force carried out a deadly attack on a craft linked to a Designated Terrorist Organization in international waters. Surveillance confirmed the vessel was transiting along a established narco-trafficking route and was involved in narco-trafficking operations. All four male narco-terrorists were killed, and no US military forces were harmed.”

Background and Prior Actions

The statement follows a day after an announcement regarding a blockade of all targeted oil tankers entering and leaving Venezuela. That statement on online platforms, the American leader accused Venezuela of using oil revenues to fund narcotics smuggling and other crimes, vowing to increase the military buildup.

Only on Tuesday, US defense officials 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, over 20 military engagements have killed at least 99 people, most off the coast of Venezuela.

Government Justifies Tactics Amidst Pressure

The administration has faced increasing pressure to make public video of a September 2nd vessel attack. However, the defense secretary have declined to do so. The administration has defended its efforts as a successful operation, saying it has prevented drugs from entering US shores and has pushed back on concerns that it is exceeding the limits of lawful warfare.

Although the administration has said the campaign is about halting drugs destined for the US, remarks from a senior aide appeared to confirm a wider geopolitical aim. In a recently published interview, the senior advisor said the president “aims to keep on destroying vessels until the Venezuelan president cries uncle.”

This suggests the military campaign may be part of a push to oust Venezuela's current government.