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As stated by a high-ranking military official, the US military carried out a fatal 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 terrorist group in international waters. Surveillance verified the vessel was transiting along a established narco-trafficking route and was engaged in narco-trafficking operations. All four male drug traffickers were killed, and no US military forces were harmed.”

Background and Prior Strikes

The statement comes a day after a declaration regarding a naval blockade of all targeted oil tankers entering and leaving Venezuela. In that announcement on social media, the US president accused Venezuela of using oil profits to fund narcotics smuggling and criminal activities, vowing to increase the military presence.

Only on the previous day, the Pentagon stated it had conducted strikes on three boats suspected of trafficking drugs in the Pacific, leading to the deaths of eight people. Since 2 September, over 20 military engagements have killed at least 99 individuals, the majority off the coast of Venezuela.

Government Defends Tactics Amidst Pressure

The government has faced growing pressure to release video of a September 2nd vessel attack. However, the defense secretary have refused to do so. The administration has defended its efforts as a successful operation, saying it has stopped drugs from entering US shores and has dismissed concerns that it is stretching the bounds of lawful warfare.

While the administration has said the campaign is about halting drugs destined for the US, remarks from a senior aide appeared to suggest a wider political objective. In a recently published interview, the chief of staff said the president “aims to keep on blowing boats up until Venezuela's president surrenders or concedes.”

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