🔗 Share this article

According to a high-ranking military spokesperson, the American armed forces carried out a fatal strike on a boat in the Pacific Ocean, resulting in the deaths of four people.

“Joint Task Force Southern Spear carried out a deadly attack on a vessel operated by a Designated Terrorist Organization in open sea. Surveillance verified the vessel was transiting along a established narco-trafficking route and was involved in illicit drug transport. All four male drug traffickers were killed, and no US military forces were injured.”

Background and Prior Strikes

The statement follows a day after an announcement regarding a naval blockade of all sanctioned 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 escalate the military presence.

Just on the previous day, the Pentagon stated it had conducted strikes on three boats suspected of smuggling narcotics in the Pacific, killing eight people. Since 2 September, over 20 military engagements have killed at least 99 individuals, most off the coast of Venezuela.

Administration Defends Tactics Amidst Scrutiny

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

While the administration has said the campaign is about halting drugs destined for the US, comments from a top official appeared to suggest a broader geopolitical objective. In a recently published interview, the senior advisor said the leader “aims to keep on destroying vessels until the Venezuelan president cries uncle.”

This suggests the military campaign may be part of a push to remove Venezuela's sitting leadership.