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As stated by a senior military spokesperson, the US armed forces executed a lethal kinetic engagement on a vessel in the eastern Pacific, resulting in the deaths of four individuals.

“A US joint task force carried out a deadly attack on a craft linked to a terrorist group in open sea. Surveillance verified the vessel was traveling along a known drug smuggling route and was involved in narco-trafficking operations. A total of four male drug traffickers were eliminated, and no US military forces were injured.”

Background and Recent Strikes

The statement comes a day after a declaration regarding a naval blockade of all sanctioned oil tankers to and from Venezuela. That statement on social media, the US president alleged Venezuela of using oil profits to fund drug trafficking and criminal activities, vowing to escalate the military buildup.

Just on Tuesday, US defense officials said it had carried out strikes on three boats suspected of smuggling narcotics in the Pacific, leading to the deaths of eight people. Since 2 September, over 20 strikes have resulted in the deaths of at least 99 individuals, the majority off the coast of Venezuela.

Administration Justifies Tactics Amid Scrutiny

The administration has encountered growing pressure to make public video of a September 2nd vessel attack. However, officials have declined 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 bounds of legal military action.

Although the administration has stated the campaign is about halting drugs destined for the US, comments from a senior aide appeared to confirm a broader geopolitical aim. 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 military campaign may be part of a strategy to remove Venezuela's current leadership.