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According to a senior defense official, the American military carried out a lethal strike on a vessel in the Pacific Ocean, resulting in the deaths of four individuals.

“Joint Task Force Southern Spear conducted a deadly attack on a vessel operated by a Designated Terrorist Organization in open sea. Surveillance verified the vessel was transiting along a known drug smuggling route and was engaged in illicit drug transport. A total of four male narco-terrorists were eliminated, and no American forces were injured.”

Background and Prior Actions

This announcement comes a day after an announcement regarding a blockade of all targeted oil tankers entering and leaving Venezuela. In that announcement on social media, the US president accused Venezuela of using oil revenues to fund drug trafficking and criminal activities, pledging to increase the military presence.

Only on the previous day, the Pentagon stated it had conducted strikes on three boats it accused of smuggling narcotics in the Pacific, killing eight people. Beginning on 2 September, over 20 military engagements have killed at least 99 individuals, most off the coast of Venezuela.

Government Justifies Actions Amid Scrutiny

The administration has faced growing pressure to release video of a September 2nd vessel attack. However, officials have declined to do so. The administration has supported its campaign as a successful operation, saying it has prevented drugs from reaching US shores and has pushed back on concerns that it is exceeding the limits of legal military action.

While the administration has stated the campaign is about halting drugs destined for the US, comments from a top official seemed to suggest a wider political objective. In a recently published interview, the senior advisor said the leader “wants to keep on blowing boats up until the Venezuelan president surrenders or concedes.”

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