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As stated by a high-ranking defense official, the US armed forces carried out a fatal strike on a vessel in the Pacific Ocean, killing four individuals.

“Joint Task Force Southern Spear conducted a lethal kinetic strike on a vessel operated by a terrorist group in open sea. Surveillance verified the vessel was traveling along a known narco-trafficking route and was involved in narco-trafficking operations. A total of four male narco-terrorists were killed, and no US military forces were injured.”

Context and Prior Strikes

The statement follows a day after a declaration regarding a naval blockade of all sanctioned oil tankers entering and leaving Venezuela. In that announcement on social media, the American leader accused Venezuela of using oil revenues to fund narcotics smuggling and other crimes, pledging to escalate the military presence.

Only on the previous day, US defense officials stated it had carried out strikes on three boats suspected of smuggling narcotics in the Pacific, killing eight people. Since 2 September, over 20 military engagements have resulted in the deaths of at least 99 people, most off the coast of Venezuela.

Government Justifies Tactics Amidst Scrutiny

The administration has encountered increasing pressure 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 dismissed concerns that it is stretching the limits of legal military action.

While the administration has stated the operation is about halting drugs headed to the US, remarks from a top official appeared to suggest a wider political objective. In a recently published interview, the chief of staff said the leader “aims to keep on blowing boats up until Venezuela's president surrenders or concedes.”

This suggests the series of strikes may be linked to a push to oust Venezuela's current government.