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According to a senior defense official, the American military carried out a lethal kinetic engagement on a boat in the eastern Pacific, resulting in the deaths of four people.

“A US joint task force carried out a deadly attack on a vessel operated by a Designated Terrorist Organization in international waters. Intelligence verified the vessel was traveling along a known drug smuggling route and was involved in narco-trafficking operations. All four male narco-terrorists were eliminated, and no American forces were injured.”

Context and Prior Actions

The statement follows a day after a declaration regarding a blockade of all sanctioned oil tankers to and from Venezuela. In that announcement on online platforms, the American leader accused Venezuela of using oil profits to fund drug trafficking and criminal activities, pledging to increase the military presence.

Just on Tuesday, US defense officials stated it had carried out strikes on three boats suspected of smuggling narcotics in the Pacific, killing eight people. Beginning on 2 September, over 20 military engagements have killed at least 99 people, the majority off the coast of Venezuela.

Government Justifies Tactics Amidst Scrutiny

The administration has faced growing demands to release video of a September 2nd vessel attack. But, officials have refused to do so. The administration has supported its efforts as a successful operation, arguing it has prevented drugs from reaching US shores and has pushed back on concerns that it is stretching the limits of lawful warfare.

Although the administration has stated the campaign is about halting drugs destined for the US, comments from a top official seemed to confirm a broader political aim. In a recently published interview, the senior advisor remarked the leader “aims to keep on blowing boats up until Venezuela's president cries uncle.”

This indicates the military campaign may be part of a strategy to oust Venezuela's current leadership.