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According to a high-ranking military official, the American armed forces executed a lethal kinetic engagement on a boat in the Pacific Ocean, killing four people.

“A US joint task force carried out a deadly attack on a craft operated by a terrorist group in open sea. Surveillance verified the vessel was traveling along a known narco-trafficking route and was engaged in illicit drug transport. All four male narco-terrorists were killed, and no American forces were harmed.”

Background and Prior Strikes

This announcement follows a day after an announcement regarding a naval blockade of all targeted oil tankers to and from Venezuela. In that announcement on social media, the American leader accused Venezuela of using oil profits to fund drug trafficking and criminal activities, pledging to escalate the military buildup.

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

Government Defends Actions Amid Scrutiny

The administration has encountered increasing pressure to release video of a 2 September vessel attack. But, officials have refused to do so. The administration has defended 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 bounds of lawful warfare.

While the administration has stated the operation is about stopping drugs destined for the US, remarks from a top official appeared to suggest a broader political objective. In a recent interview, the chief of staff remarked the president “wants to keep on destroying vessels until Venezuela's president cries uncle.”

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