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According to a high-ranking defense official, the US armed forces carried out a fatal kinetic engagement on a boat in the eastern Pacific, killing four individuals.

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

Background and Prior Actions

This announcement comes a day after an announcement regarding a blockade of all targeted oil tankers to and from Venezuela. In that announcement on social media, the American leader alleged Venezuela of using oil profits to fund narcotics smuggling and other crimes, pledging to increase the military presence.

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

Government Defends Actions Amidst Scrutiny

The government has encountered increasing pressure to release video of a September 2nd vessel attack. However, the defense secretary have refused 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 limits of legal military action.

While the administration has said the operation is about stopping drugs destined for the US, comments from a senior aide seemed to confirm a wider political aim. In a recent interview, the senior advisor remarked the president “wants to keep on destroying vessels until Venezuela's president cries uncle.”

This suggests the series of strikes may be part of a strategy to oust Venezuela's sitting leadership.