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According to a senior defense official, the American military carried out a fatal kinetic engagement on a boat in the Pacific Ocean, killing four individuals.

“Joint Task Force Southern Spear carried out a lethal kinetic strike on a vessel operated by a terrorist group in international waters. Intelligence verified the vessel was traveling along a established narco-trafficking route and was engaged in illicit drug transport. A total of four male drug traffickers were eliminated, and no US military forces were harmed.”

Background and Prior Actions

The statement follows a day after a declaration regarding a naval blockade of all sanctioned oil tankers to and from Venezuela. That statement on social media, the US president alleged Venezuela of using oil profits to fund drug trafficking and other crimes, pledging to escalate the military buildup.

Just on the previous day, the Pentagon stated it had carried out strikes on three boats suspected of smuggling narcotics in the Pacific, killing eight people. Since 2 September, more than 20 strikes have resulted in the deaths of at least 99 people, the majority off the coast of Venezuela.

Administration Justifies Tactics Amid Scrutiny

The government has encountered growing pressure to make public video of a September 2nd vessel attack. However, the defense secretary have declined to do so. The administration has supported its campaign as a successful operation, saying it has stopped drugs from entering US shores and has dismissed concerns that it is exceeding the limits of lawful warfare.

Although the administration has stated the campaign is about halting drugs destined for the US, remarks from a top official appeared to confirm a wider political aim. In a recently published interview, the senior advisor said the leader “wants to keep on blowing boats up until Venezuela's president cries uncle.”

This indicates the series of strikes may be part of a push to oust Venezuela's sitting leadership.