🔗 Share this article US Military Executes Lethal Attack in Pacific, Resulting in Four Deaths As stated by a senior military official, the US armed forces carried out a lethal kinetic engagement on a vessel in the eastern Pacific, resulting in the deaths of four individuals. “A US joint task force conducted a lethal kinetic strike on a vessel linked to a Designated Terrorist Organization in international waters. Surveillance verified the vessel was traveling along a known narco-trafficking route and was engaged in illicit drug transport. A total of four male narco-terrorists were killed, and no US military forces were harmed.” Context and Prior Actions The statement follows a day after an announcement regarding a naval blockade of all targeted oil tankers to and from Venezuela. That statement on online platforms, the American leader alleged Venezuela of using oil revenues to fund narcotics smuggling and other crimes, pledging to escalate the military buildup. Just on the previous day, the Pentagon said it had carried out strikes on three boats it accused of smuggling narcotics in the Pacific, leading to the deaths of eight people. Since 2 September, over 20 strikes have resulted in the deaths of at least 99 people, most off the coast of Venezuela. Administration Justifies Tactics Amidst Pressure The government has encountered increasing demands to release video of a September 2nd vessel attack. However, the defense secretary have refused to do so. The administration has defended 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 legal military action. Although the administration has stated the operation is about halting drugs destined for the US, remarks from a senior aide appeared to confirm a broader geopolitical objective. In a recently published interview, the senior advisor remarked the president “wants to keep on destroying vessels until the Venezuelan president cries uncle.” This suggests the series of strikes may be part of a strategy to remove Venezuela's sitting leadership.