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According to a senior defense official, the US military carried out a lethal kinetic engagement on a vessel in the Pacific Ocean, resulting in the deaths of four people.

“A US joint task force carried out a lethal kinetic strike on a vessel operated by a Designated Terrorist Organization in open sea. Surveillance confirmed the vessel was transiting along a known narco-trafficking route and was engaged in illicit drug transport. A total of four male drug traffickers were killed, and no US military forces were harmed.”

Background and Prior Strikes

This announcement follows a day after an announcement regarding a blockade of all targeted oil tankers to and from Venezuela. That statement on social media, the American leader alleged Venezuela of using oil revenues to fund narcotics smuggling and other crimes, vowing to escalate the military buildup.

Just on the previous day, the Pentagon stated it had carried out strikes on three boats it accused of trafficking drugs in the Pacific, killing eight people. Beginning on 2 September, over 20 military engagements have killed at least 99 people, the majority off the coast of Venezuela.

Administration Justifies Tactics Amid Pressure

The government has faced increasing pressure to release video of a 2 September vessel attack. However, officials have refused to do so. The administration has supported its efforts as a successful operation, arguing it has prevented drugs from entering US shores and has pushed back on concerns that it is exceeding the bounds of legal military action.

While the administration has stated the operation is about stopping drugs destined for the US, remarks from a senior aide seemed to suggest a wider geopolitical objective. In a recent interview, the senior advisor remarked the leader “wants to keep on blowing boats up until Venezuela's president surrenders or concedes.”

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