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As stated by a high-ranking military official, the American armed forces carried out a lethal kinetic engagement on a boat in the eastern Pacific, killing four people.

“Joint Task Force Southern Spear carried out a deadly attack on a craft linked to a Designated Terrorist Organization in open sea. Surveillance confirmed the vessel was traveling along a known drug smuggling route and was engaged in illicit drug transport. A total of four male drug traffickers were killed, and no American forces were harmed.”

Context and Recent Strikes

The statement comes a day after an announcement regarding a blockade of all sanctioned oil tankers entering and leaving Venezuela. In that announcement on social media, the American leader accused Venezuela of using oil profits to fund narcotics smuggling and criminal activities, vowing to increase the military buildup.

Only on Tuesday, US defense officials stated it had carried out strikes on three boats it accused of trafficking drugs in the Pacific, killing eight people. Since 2 September, more than 20 strikes have resulted in the deaths of at least 99 individuals, the majority off the coast of Venezuela.

Government Justifies Tactics Amidst Pressure

The government has faced growing demands to make public video of a September 2nd vessel attack. However, the defense secretary have declined to do so. The administration has defended its efforts as a successful operation, arguing it has prevented drugs from entering US shores and has pushed back on concerns that it is stretching the limits of lawful warfare.

Although the administration has said the campaign is about stopping drugs destined for the US, comments from a top official seemed to confirm a wider political aim. In a recently published interview, the chief of staff said the president “wants to keep on blowing boats up until Venezuela's president surrenders or concedes.”

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