🔗 Share this article US Military Executes Deadly Attack in Eastern Pacific, Leading to 4 Fatalities As stated by a senior defense spokesperson, the US armed forces executed a lethal kinetic engagement on a boat in the eastern Pacific, killing four people. “Joint Task Force Southern Spear carried out a lethal kinetic strike on a craft operated by a terrorist group in open sea. Surveillance verified the vessel was traveling along a known drug smuggling route and was engaged in illicit drug transport. A total of four male drug traffickers were killed, and no US military forces were injured.” Background and Prior Strikes The statement follows a day after a declaration regarding a blockade of all targeted oil tankers entering and leaving Venezuela. That statement on online platforms, the US president accused Venezuela of using oil profits to fund drug trafficking and criminal activities, pledging to escalate the military presence. Only on Tuesday, US defense officials said it had conducted strikes on three boats it accused of trafficking drugs in the Pacific, killing eight people. Beginning on 2 September, more than 20 strikes have resulted in the deaths of at least 99 individuals, most off the coast of Venezuela. Administration Justifies Actions Amid Scrutiny The government has encountered growing pressure to release video of a September 2nd vessel attack. But, officials have declined to do so. The administration has defended its campaign as a success, arguing it has prevented drugs from entering US shores and has dismissed concerns that it is stretching the limits of lawful warfare. Although the administration has stated the operation is about halting drugs destined for the US, remarks from a senior aide appeared to suggest a wider political aim. In a recent interview, the senior advisor said the leader “wants to keep on blowing boats up until the Venezuelan president cries uncle.” This suggests the series of strikes may be linked to a push to remove Venezuela's current government.