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As stated by a senior military official, the US armed forces executed a lethal kinetic engagement on a boat in the Pacific Ocean, resulting in the deaths of four individuals.

“Joint Task Force Southern Spear conducted a deadly attack on a craft operated by a Designated Terrorist Organization in international waters. Surveillance verified the vessel was transiting along a known narco-trafficking route and was involved in illicit drug transport. All four male drug traffickers were eliminated, and no US military forces were harmed.”

Background and Prior Strikes

The statement comes a day after an announcement regarding a naval blockade of all sanctioned oil tankers to and from Venezuela. That statement on social media, the American leader alleged Venezuela of using oil revenues to fund drug trafficking and other crimes, pledging to increase the military presence.

Just on the previous day, US defense officials stated it had carried out strikes on three boats suspected of trafficking drugs in the Pacific, leading to the deaths of eight people. Since 2 September, more than 20 military engagements have killed at least 99 people, the majority off the coast of Venezuela.

Government Defends Tactics Amidst Scrutiny

The government has faced increasing pressure to make public video of a 2 September vessel attack. However, the defense secretary have refused to do so. The administration has defended its efforts as a success, arguing it has prevented drugs from entering US shores and has pushed back on concerns that it is stretching the limits of legal military action.

Although the administration has stated the operation is about stopping drugs headed to the US, comments from a top official seemed to suggest a wider political aim. In a recent interview, the senior advisor said the leader “aims to keep on destroying vessels until Venezuela's president cries uncle.”

This suggests the military campaign may be part of a push to remove Venezuela's sitting government.