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According to a high-ranking military official, the US military executed a lethal strike on a boat in the Pacific Ocean, resulting in the deaths of four individuals.

“A US joint task force carried out a lethal kinetic strike on a vessel linked to a Designated Terrorist Organization in international waters. Intelligence confirmed the vessel was traveling along a known drug smuggling route and was engaged in illicit drug transport. All four male drug traffickers were killed, and no American forces were harmed.”

Context and Prior Actions

This announcement follows a day after an announcement regarding a blockade of all targeted oil tankers entering and leaving Venezuela. That statement on social media, the American leader alleged Venezuela of using oil revenues to fund drug trafficking and criminal activities, vowing to increase the military buildup.

Just on Tuesday, US defense officials stated it had conducted strikes on three boats it accused of trafficking drugs in the Pacific, killing eight people. Beginning on 2 September, more than 20 strikes have resulted in the deaths of at least 99 individuals, the majority off the coast of Venezuela.

Government Defends Actions Amidst Scrutiny

The government has faced increasing demands to make public video of a September 2nd vessel attack. However, the defense secretary have refused to do so. The administration has supported its efforts as a successful operation, saying it has stopped drugs from reaching US shores and has pushed back on concerns that it is exceeding the limits of legal military action.

Although the administration has stated the campaign is about stopping drugs headed to the US, remarks from a senior aide seemed to confirm a wider political objective. In a recent interview, the chief of staff said the leader “wants to keep on blowing boats up until Venezuela's president surrenders or concedes.”

This suggests the military campaign may be part of a strategy to oust Venezuela's sitting leadership.