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As stated by a high-ranking military spokesperson, the American military carried out a fatal kinetic engagement on a vessel in the eastern Pacific, killing four people.

“Joint Task Force Southern Spear conducted a deadly attack on a craft linked to a terrorist group in international waters. Intelligence verified the vessel was traveling along a established narco-trafficking route and was engaged in narco-trafficking operations. A total of four male narco-terrorists were eliminated, and no US military forces were harmed.”

Background and Prior Strikes

This announcement comes a day after a declaration regarding a blockade of all targeted oil tankers to and from Venezuela. That statement on social media, the US president accused Venezuela of using oil revenues to fund drug trafficking and other crimes, vowing to escalate the military presence.

Just on the previous day, US defense officials said it had carried out strikes on three boats it accused of smuggling narcotics in the Pacific, leading to the deaths of eight people. Beginning on 2 September, more than 20 strikes have resulted in the deaths of at least 99 individuals, most off the coast of Venezuela.

Government Defends Actions Amidst Scrutiny

The government has encountered growing pressure to make public video of a September 2nd vessel attack. But, the defense secretary have declined to do so. The administration has supported its efforts as a success, arguing it has stopped drugs from reaching US shores and has pushed back on concerns that it is stretching the bounds of lawful warfare.

Although the administration has said the operation is about halting drugs headed to the US, comments from a senior aide seemed to suggest a broader political aim. In a recently published interview, the senior advisor said the president “wants to keep on destroying vessels until the Venezuelan president surrenders or concedes.”

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