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As stated by a senior military official, the US military carried out a fatal strike on a vessel in the Pacific Ocean, 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 confirmed the vessel was traveling along a known narco-trafficking route and was engaged in illicit drug transport. A total of four male drug traffickers were killed, and no American forces were harmed.”

Background and Prior Actions

The statement comes 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 accused Venezuela of using oil profits to fund drug trafficking and other crimes, pledging to escalate the military presence.

Just on the previous day, the Pentagon said it had carried out strikes on three boats suspected of trafficking drugs in the Pacific, killing eight people. Beginning on 2 September, more than 20 strikes have killed at least 99 individuals, most off the coast of Venezuela.

Government Justifies Actions Amidst Pressure

The government 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 efforts as a successful operation, arguing it has prevented drugs from entering US shores and has pushed back on concerns that it is exceeding the bounds of legal military action.

While the administration has stated the operation is about stopping drugs destined for the US, remarks from a top official appeared to suggest a broader geopolitical aim. In a recently published interview, the senior advisor said the president “aims to keep on destroying vessels until Venezuela's president surrenders or concedes.”

This suggests the series of strikes may be linked to a strategy to oust Venezuela's sitting leadership.