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According to a high-ranking defense official, the American armed forces executed a lethal strike on a vessel in the Pacific Ocean, resulting in the deaths of four people.

“A US joint task force carried out a lethal kinetic strike on a vessel linked to a terrorist group in international waters. Surveillance confirmed the vessel was transiting along a established 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 Strikes

This announcement follows a day after an announcement regarding a blockade of all sanctioned oil tankers entering and leaving Venezuela. In that announcement on social media, the US president alleged Venezuela of using oil profits to fund narcotics smuggling and criminal activities, vowing to escalate the military presence.

Only on the previous day, the Pentagon said it had conducted strikes on three boats suspected of trafficking drugs in the Pacific, killing eight people. Beginning on 2 September, over 20 strikes have resulted in the deaths of at least 99 people, the majority off the coast of Venezuela.

Government Justifies Tactics Amidst Scrutiny

The administration has encountered growing pressure to make public video of a September 2nd vessel attack. However, officials have refused to do so. The administration has defended its campaign as a success, arguing it has prevented drugs from entering US shores and has pushed back on concerns that it is exceeding the limits of lawful warfare.

Although the administration has stated the operation is about stopping drugs destined for the US, comments from a senior aide appeared to suggest a broader political objective. In a recent interview, the chief of staff remarked the leader “aims to keep on blowing boats up until the Venezuelan president cries uncle.”

This indicates the military campaign may be part of a strategy to remove Venezuela's current government.