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According to a high-ranking military spokesperson, the US military executed a lethal kinetic engagement on a boat in the eastern Pacific, resulting in the deaths of four people.

“A US joint task force conducted a deadly attack on a craft linked to a Designated Terrorist Organization in open sea. Intelligence confirmed the vessel was transiting along a established narco-trafficking route and was involved in narco-trafficking operations. A total of four male drug traffickers were eliminated, and no US military forces were harmed.”

Background and Recent Actions

The statement follows a day after a declaration 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, pledging to increase the military presence.

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

Administration Justifies Actions Amid Pressure

The government has encountered increasing pressure to release video of a September 2nd vessel attack. But, officials have refused to do so. The administration has supported its efforts as a success, saying it has prevented drugs from reaching US shores and has pushed back on concerns that it is exceeding the limits of lawful warfare.

While the administration has stated the operation is about stopping drugs headed to the US, remarks from a top official seemed to suggest a broader political objective. In a recently published interview, the senior advisor remarked the president “wants to keep on blowing boats up until the Venezuelan president cries uncle.”

This suggests the military campaign may be linked to a push to remove Venezuela's sitting leadership.