As stated by a senior military spokesperson, the US armed forces carried out a fatal kinetic engagement on a boat in the Pacific Ocean, killing four people.
“Joint Task Force Southern Spear carried out a lethal kinetic strike on a vessel linked to a terrorist group in international waters. Surveillance verified the vessel was transiting along a established narco-trafficking route and was engaged in narco-trafficking operations. All four male narco-terrorists were eliminated, and no US military forces were injured.”
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 accused Venezuela of using oil profits to fund narcotics smuggling and criminal activities, vowing to escalate the military presence.
Only on the previous day, US defense officials said it had conducted strikes on three boats suspected of trafficking drugs in the Pacific, leading to the deaths of eight people. Since 2 September, over 20 military engagements have resulted in the deaths of at least 99 people, the majority off the coast of Venezuela.
The government has faced increasing pressure to make public video of a September 2nd vessel attack. However, the defense secretary 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 stretching the bounds of lawful warfare.
Although the administration has stated the campaign is about halting drugs destined for the US, remarks from a senior aide appeared to suggest a broader geopolitical aim. In a recently published interview, the senior advisor said the leader “wants to keep on blowing boats up until Venezuela's president surrenders or concedes.”
This indicates the series of strikes may be linked to a push to oust Venezuela's sitting leadership.
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