🔗 Share this article US Military Conducts Lethal Strike in Eastern Pacific, Resulting in Four Fatalities As stated by a high-ranking defense official, the American armed forces executed a fatal kinetic engagement on a vessel in the eastern Pacific, resulting in the deaths of four individuals. “Joint Task Force Southern Spear carried out a lethal kinetic strike on a craft linked to a Designated Terrorist Organization in international waters. Intelligence verified the vessel was traveling along a known narco-trafficking route and was engaged in narco-trafficking operations. A total of four male narco-terrorists were eliminated, and no US military forces were harmed.” Background and Recent Actions This announcement follows a day after an announcement regarding a blockade of all targeted oil tankers to and from Venezuela. That statement on social media, the American leader alleged Venezuela of using oil profits to fund narcotics smuggling and criminal activities, vowing to increase the military buildup. Just on Tuesday, US defense officials stated it had carried out strikes on three boats suspected of smuggling narcotics in the Pacific, leading to the deaths of eight people. Beginning on 2 September, more than 20 strikes have killed at least 99 individuals, the majority off the coast of Venezuela. Administration Defends Actions Amidst Pressure The administration has faced growing demands to make public video of a September 2nd vessel attack. However, officials have declined to do so. The administration has supported its campaign as a successful operation, arguing it has prevented drugs from entering US shores and has pushed back on concerns that it is stretching the bounds of legal military action. Although the administration has said the campaign is about stopping drugs destined for the US, remarks from a senior aide appeared to confirm a wider geopolitical objective. In a recent interview, the senior advisor remarked the president “wants 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 leadership.