🔗 Share this article

As stated by a senior military official, the American military carried out a lethal strike on a vessel in the eastern Pacific, resulting in the deaths of four individuals.

“A US joint task force conducted a deadly attack on a vessel operated by a Designated Terrorist Organization in open sea. Surveillance verified the vessel was transiting along a known 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 Strikes

The statement comes a day after an announcement regarding a blockade of all targeted oil tankers to and from Venezuela. In that announcement on social media, the American leader accused Venezuela of using oil revenues to fund drug trafficking and other crimes, pledging to increase the military buildup.

Just on the previous day, US defense officials stated it had carried out strikes on three boats it accused of smuggling narcotics in the Pacific, killing eight people. Beginning on 2 September, more than 20 military engagements have killed at least 99 individuals, most off the coast of Venezuela.

Administration Justifies Tactics Amidst Scrutiny

The government has encountered increasing pressure to release video of a 2 September 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 pushed back on concerns that it is stretching the bounds of lawful warfare.

Although the administration has said the operation is about halting drugs headed to 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 “wants to keep on destroying vessels until Venezuela's president cries uncle.”

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