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As stated by a senior military spokesperson, the US armed forces carried out a lethal strike on a vessel in the Pacific Ocean, killing four individuals.

“A US joint task force conducted a lethal kinetic strike on a craft operated by a Designated Terrorist Organization in open sea. Surveillance verified the vessel was traveling along a known narco-trafficking route and was engaged in narco-trafficking operations. All four male narco-terrorists were eliminated, and no American forces were injured.”

Background and Recent Strikes

This announcement comes a day after a declaration regarding a blockade of all targeted oil tankers entering and leaving Venezuela. In that announcement on social media, the US president alleged Venezuela of using oil profits to fund drug trafficking and criminal activities, pledging to escalate the military buildup.

Only on Tuesday, the Pentagon said it had carried out strikes on three boats suspected of smuggling narcotics in the Pacific, leading to the deaths of eight people. Beginning on 2 September, more than 20 military engagements have resulted in the deaths of at least 99 individuals, the majority off the coast of Venezuela.

Government Defends Actions Amidst Scrutiny

The government has encountered increasing demands to release video of a September 2nd vessel attack. But, the defense secretary have declined to do so. The administration has defended its campaign as a successful operation, arguing it has stopped drugs from reaching US shores and has dismissed concerns that it is stretching the limits of legal military action.

While the administration has stated the campaign is about halting drugs headed to the US, comments from a top official appeared to confirm a wider geopolitical aim. In a recently published interview, the senior advisor remarked the president “aims to keep on blowing boats up until Venezuela's president cries uncle.”

This suggests the military campaign may be linked to a strategy to oust Venezuela's current government.