🔗 Share this article American Military Conducts Lethal Strike in Eastern Pacific, Leading to Four Deaths As stated by a high-ranking defense official, the US armed forces carried out a fatal kinetic engagement on a boat in the eastern Pacific, killing four people. “Joint Task Force Southern Spear conducted a deadly attack on a craft operated by a Designated Terrorist Organization in open sea. Intelligence confirmed the vessel was traveling along a established drug smuggling route and was involved in illicit drug transport. A total of four male drug traffickers were killed, and no American forces were injured.” Background and Prior Strikes This announcement comes a day after a declaration regarding a naval blockade of all targeted oil tankers entering and leaving Venezuela. That statement on social media, the American leader accused Venezuela of using oil profits to fund drug trafficking and other crimes, vowing to escalate the military presence. Only on Tuesday, US defense officials said it had conducted strikes on three boats it accused of smuggling narcotics in the Pacific, killing eight people. Since 2 September, over 20 strikes have killed at least 99 individuals, most off the coast of Venezuela. Administration Justifies Tactics Amid Scrutiny The government has encountered growing pressure to make public video of a September 2nd vessel attack. However, the defense secretary have declined to do so. The administration has supported its campaign as a success, saying it has prevented drugs from reaching US shores and has dismissed concerns that it is stretching the limits of lawful warfare. While the administration has said the campaign is about halting drugs destined for the US, comments from a top official seemed to confirm a wider political objective. In a recently published interview, the chief of staff 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 oust Venezuela's sitting government.