🔗 Share this article

According to a high-ranking defense spokesperson, the American military executed a lethal kinetic engagement on a boat in the eastern Pacific, killing four individuals.

“Joint Task Force Southern Spear carried out a deadly attack on a craft linked to a terrorist group in international waters. Intelligence verified the vessel was transiting along a established narco-trafficking route and was involved in illicit drug transport. A total of four male narco-terrorists were killed, and no American forces were harmed.”

Background and Prior Strikes

This announcement comes a day after a declaration regarding a naval blockade of all targeted oil tankers to and from Venezuela. In that announcement on online platforms, the American leader alleged Venezuela of using oil revenues to fund narcotics smuggling and other crimes, pledging to increase the military presence.

Only on Tuesday, the Pentagon stated it had carried out strikes on three boats suspected of smuggling narcotics in the Pacific, killing eight people. Since 2 September, more than 20 strikes have killed at least 99 individuals, the majority off the coast of Venezuela.

Government Defends Tactics Amidst Scrutiny

The administration has encountered increasing demands to release video of a September 2nd vessel attack. But, officials have refused to do so. The administration has supported its efforts as a successful operation, saying it has prevented 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 operation is about stopping drugs destined for the US, remarks from a senior aide seemed to suggest a broader geopolitical aim. In a recently published interview, the chief of staff said the leader “aims to keep on destroying vessels until Venezuela's president cries uncle.”

This suggests the military campaign may be linked to a strategy to remove Venezuela's sitting government.