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According to a senior defense spokesperson, the American armed forces carried out a lethal kinetic engagement on a boat in the Pacific Ocean, resulting in the deaths of four individuals.

“A US joint task force conducted a deadly attack on a craft operated by a terrorist group in international waters. Surveillance verified the vessel was traveling along a known narco-trafficking route and was engaged in narco-trafficking operations. A total of four male drug traffickers were killed, and no American forces were harmed.”

Background and Recent Strikes

The statement comes a day after a declaration regarding a naval blockade of all targeted oil tankers to and from Venezuela. In that announcement on social media, the US president alleged Venezuela of using oil profits to fund drug trafficking and criminal activities, pledging to increase the military buildup.

Only on the previous day, US defense officials said it had conducted strikes on three boats suspected of smuggling narcotics in the Pacific, leading to the deaths of 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 Defends Tactics Amidst Pressure

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

While the administration has said the campaign is about halting drugs destined for the US, comments from a senior aide appeared to confirm a wider political objective. In a recently published interview, the chief of staff remarked the leader “aims to keep on blowing boats up until the Venezuelan president cries uncle.”

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