🔗 Share this article

According to a high-ranking military spokesperson, the American military carried out a lethal kinetic engagement on a vessel in the eastern Pacific, killing four people.

“A US joint task force conducted a lethal kinetic strike on a craft linked to a Designated Terrorist Organization in international waters. Intelligence verified the vessel was transiting along a known narco-trafficking route and was involved in illicit drug transport. A total of four male narco-terrorists were eliminated, and no US military forces were harmed.”

Background and Prior Actions

This announcement comes a day after a declaration regarding a naval blockade of all sanctioned oil tankers entering and leaving Venezuela. In that announcement on online platforms, the US president accused Venezuela of using oil revenues to fund narcotics smuggling and other crimes, pledging to increase the military presence.

Only on Tuesday, the Pentagon said it had conducted strikes on three boats suspected of smuggling narcotics in the Pacific, killing eight people. Since 2 September, over 20 strikes have resulted in the deaths of at least 99 people, the majority off the coast of Venezuela.

Administration Justifies Actions Amid Scrutiny

The government 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 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 limits of lawful warfare.

While the administration has stated the campaign is about stopping drugs destined for the US, comments from a top official seemed to suggest a wider geopolitical aim. In a recent interview, the chief of staff said the president “aims to keep on destroying vessels until the Venezuelan president surrenders or concedes.”

This indicates the series of strikes may be linked to a strategy to remove Venezuela's current leadership.