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According to a high-ranking military official, the US military executed a fatal kinetic engagement on a boat in the Pacific Ocean, resulting in the deaths of four people.

“Joint Task Force Southern Spear conducted a deadly attack on a vessel linked to a terrorist group in open sea. Intelligence confirmed the vessel was traveling along a known drug smuggling route and was involved in illicit drug transport. All four male narco-terrorists were eliminated, and no US military forces were injured.”

Background and Recent 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 alleged Venezuela of using oil profits to fund drug trafficking and criminal activities, pledging to escalate the military presence.

Just on the previous day, the Pentagon said it had conducted strikes on three boats it accused of trafficking drugs in the Pacific, leading to the deaths of eight people. Since 2 September, over 20 strikes have killed at least 99 people, the majority off the coast of Venezuela.

Administration Defends Actions Amidst Pressure

The administration has encountered increasing pressure to make public video of a September 2nd vessel attack. But, the defense secretary have refused to do so. The administration has supported its campaign as a successful operation, saying it has prevented drugs from entering US shores and has dismissed concerns that it is exceeding the bounds of legal military action.

Although the administration has stated the campaign is about halting drugs destined for the US, remarks from a senior aide appeared 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 indicates the series of strikes may be linked to a strategy to remove Venezuela's current government.