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As stated by a high-ranking defense official, the American military carried out a fatal kinetic engagement on a boat in the eastern Pacific, killing four individuals.

“A US joint task force conducted a lethal kinetic strike on a vessel operated by a Designated Terrorist Organization in open sea. Intelligence verified the vessel was traveling along a established narco-trafficking route and was involved in illicit drug transport. A total of four male narco-terrorists were killed, and no US military forces were harmed.”

Background and Recent Actions

This announcement follows a day after an announcement regarding a naval blockade of all targeted oil tankers entering and leaving Venezuela. That statement on social media, the American leader accused Venezuela of using oil revenues to fund narcotics smuggling and criminal activities, vowing to increase the military presence.

Just on the previous day, the Pentagon said it had carried out strikes on three boats suspected of trafficking drugs in the Pacific, killing eight people. Since 2 September, more than 20 strikes have killed at least 99 individuals, the majority off the coast of Venezuela.

Administration Justifies Tactics Amidst Pressure

The administration has faced growing pressure to make public video of a September 2nd vessel attack. However, the defense secretary have declined to do so. The administration has supported its campaign 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.

While the administration has stated the campaign is about stopping drugs destined for the US, comments from a top official appeared to confirm a wider political objective. In a recent interview, the senior advisor said the leader “wants to keep on blowing boats up until Venezuela's president cries uncle.”

This suggests the military campaign may be part of a push to remove Venezuela's sitting government.