🔗 Share this article

As stated by a high-ranking military official, the US military executed a fatal kinetic engagement on a vessel in the Pacific Ocean, killing four people.

“Joint Task Force Southern Spear carried out a deadly attack on a craft operated by a Designated Terrorist Organization in open sea. Surveillance confirmed the vessel was transiting along a known narco-trafficking route and was engaged in narco-trafficking operations. All four male narco-terrorists were eliminated, and no American forces were injured.”

Background and Prior Strikes

This announcement comes a day after an announcement regarding a blockade of all sanctioned oil tankers to and from Venezuela. That statement on social media, the American leader accused Venezuela of using oil revenues to fund narcotics smuggling and criminal activities, pledging to escalate the military presence.

Just on the previous day, US defense officials said it had carried out strikes on three boats it accused of trafficking drugs in the Pacific, leading to the deaths of eight people. Beginning on 2 September, more than 20 strikes have resulted in the deaths of at least 99 people, most off the coast of Venezuela.

Government Justifies Tactics Amid Scrutiny

The administration has encountered increasing demands to release video of a September 2nd vessel attack. But, officials have declined to do so. The administration has supported its campaign as a successful operation, saying it has stopped drugs from reaching US shores and has dismissed concerns that it is stretching the limits of legal military action.

While the administration has stated the campaign is about stopping drugs destined for the US, comments from a top official appeared to confirm a broader geopolitical aim. In a recently published interview, the chief of staff said the president “aims to keep on blowing boats up until the Venezuelan president surrenders or concedes.”

This indicates the series of strikes may be linked to a strategy to oust Venezuela's sitting government.