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According to a senior defense spokesperson, the US military executed a fatal kinetic engagement on a boat in the Pacific Ocean, resulting in the deaths of four people.

“A US joint task force conducted a deadly attack on a vessel operated by a Designated Terrorist Organization in open sea. Intelligence verified the vessel was transiting along a established narco-trafficking route and was involved in illicit drug transport. All four male narco-terrorists were killed, and no US military forces were harmed.”

Background and Prior Actions

This announcement comes a day after an announcement regarding a naval blockade of all targeted oil tankers to and from Venezuela. That statement on social media, the US president accused Venezuela of using oil profits to fund narcotics smuggling and criminal activities, vowing to escalate the military buildup.

Only on the previous day, US defense officials said it had conducted strikes on three boats it accused of trafficking drugs in the Pacific, leading to the deaths of eight people. Beginning on 2 September, over 20 strikes have resulted in the deaths of at least 99 individuals, most off the coast of Venezuela.

Government Justifies Tactics Amid Pressure

The government has faced increasing pressure to release video of a September 2nd vessel attack. But, the defense secretary have declined to do so. The administration has defended its efforts as a successful operation, arguing it has stopped drugs from reaching US shores and has dismissed concerns that it is exceeding the bounds of legal military action.

Although the administration has said the operation is about halting drugs headed to the US, remarks from a senior aide appeared to suggest a broader geopolitical objective. In a recently published interview, the senior advisor said the leader “wants to keep on blowing boats up until the Venezuelan president cries uncle.”

This suggests the military campaign may be part of a push to oust Venezuela's current government.