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As stated by a high-ranking military spokesperson, the American armed forces carried out a fatal kinetic engagement on a vessel in the eastern Pacific, resulting in the deaths of four individuals.

“Joint Task Force Southern Spear carried out a lethal kinetic strike on a vessel linked to a Designated Terrorist Organization in international waters. Intelligence confirmed the vessel was transiting along a established drug smuggling route and was engaged in illicit drug transport. All four male narco-terrorists were eliminated, and no American forces were injured.”

Background and Recent Actions

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

Only on the previous day, the Pentagon 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 killed at least 99 people, the majority off the coast of Venezuela.

Administration Justifies Tactics Amidst Pressure

The government has faced growing pressure to make public video of a September 2nd vessel attack. But, officials have refused to do so. The administration has supported its campaign as a successful operation, arguing it has stopped drugs from reaching US shores and has pushed back on concerns that it is stretching the limits of legal military action.

Although the administration has said the campaign is about halting drugs headed to the US, remarks from a senior aide seemed to confirm a wider political objective. In a recently published interview, the chief of staff remarked the leader “aims to keep on destroying vessels until Venezuela's president cries uncle.”

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