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As stated by a high-ranking defense official, the American armed forces executed a fatal strike on a boat in the Pacific Ocean, killing four people.

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

Background and Prior Actions

The statement comes a day after an announcement regarding a naval blockade of all targeted oil tankers entering and leaving Venezuela. That statement on social media, the US president alleged Venezuela of using oil revenues to fund narcotics smuggling and other crimes, pledging to increase the military buildup.

Just on the previous day, the Pentagon said it had conducted strikes on three boats suspected of trafficking drugs in the Pacific, killing eight people. Since 2 September, over 20 military engagements have killed at least 99 people, most off the coast of Venezuela.

Government Justifies Tactics Amidst Scrutiny

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

Although the administration has stated the operation is about halting drugs destined for the US, comments from a senior aide seemed to confirm a broader geopolitical aim. In a recently published interview, the senior advisor remarked the leader “aims to keep on blowing boats up until Venezuela's president cries uncle.”

This suggests the military campaign may be linked to a strategy to remove Venezuela's sitting leadership.