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According to a high-ranking defense spokesperson, the American military carried out a lethal kinetic engagement on a boat in the eastern Pacific, killing four people.

“Joint Task Force Southern Spear conducted a lethal kinetic strike on a craft operated by a terrorist group in international waters. Surveillance verified the vessel was transiting along a known drug smuggling route and was involved in illicit drug transport. A total of four male narco-terrorists were eliminated, and no American forces were harmed.”

Background and Prior Actions

This announcement follows a day after a declaration regarding a naval blockade of all targeted oil tankers entering and leaving Venezuela. That statement on social media, the US president accused Venezuela of using oil revenues to fund drug trafficking and other crimes, pledging to escalate the military presence.

Just on Tuesday, 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, over 20 strikes have killed at least 99 individuals, the majority off the coast of Venezuela.

Administration Defends Actions Amidst Scrutiny

The administration has faced increasing demands to release video of a 2 September vessel attack. However, the defense secretary have refused 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 bounds of legal military action.

Although the administration has said the campaign is about halting drugs destined for the US, remarks from a top official appeared to confirm a broader political objective. In a recent interview, the chief of staff said the leader “wants to keep on destroying vessels until the Venezuelan president cries uncle.”

This suggests the series of strikes may be part of a strategy to remove Venezuela's current government.