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According to a senior military spokesperson, the US armed forces carried out a lethal kinetic engagement on a vessel in the Pacific Ocean, resulting in the deaths of four people.

“A US joint task force carried out a deadly attack on a vessel linked to a Designated Terrorist Organization in open sea. Intelligence verified the vessel was traveling along a established drug smuggling route and was involved in illicit drug transport. All four male narco-terrorists were eliminated, and no US military forces were harmed.”

Context and Recent Actions

The statement follows a day after an announcement regarding a blockade of all targeted oil tankers to and from Venezuela. In that announcement on social media, the American leader alleged Venezuela of using oil revenues to fund drug trafficking and other crimes, pledging to escalate the military buildup.

Just on Tuesday, the Pentagon stated it had carried out strikes on three boats it accused of smuggling narcotics in the Pacific, leading to the deaths of eight people. Beginning on 2 September, over 20 strikes have resulted in the deaths of at least 99 people, most off the coast of Venezuela.

Government Defends Tactics Amidst Scrutiny

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

While the administration has stated the operation is about halting drugs headed to the US, comments from a senior aide appeared to confirm a wider geopolitical aim. In a recent interview, the chief of staff remarked the leader “aims to keep on blowing boats up until Venezuela's president surrenders or concedes.”

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