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According to a senior defense official, the US military executed a lethal strike on a boat in the eastern Pacific, killing four people.

“A US joint task force conducted a deadly attack on a vessel operated by a Designated Terrorist Organization in open sea. Surveillance confirmed the vessel was traveling along a established drug smuggling route and was engaged in narco-trafficking operations. A total of four male drug traffickers were eliminated, and no US military forces were injured.”

Context and Prior Actions

The statement comes a day after an announcement regarding a blockade of all sanctioned oil tankers to and from Venezuela. That statement on online platforms, the American leader accused Venezuela of using oil revenues to fund drug trafficking and other crimes, vowing to escalate the military buildup.

Only on the previous day, US defense officials stated it had conducted 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 military engagements have resulted in the deaths of at least 99 individuals, most off the coast of Venezuela.

Government Justifies Actions Amidst Pressure

The administration has encountered increasing pressure to make public video of a 2 September vessel attack. However, officials have refused to do so. The administration has supported its campaign as a successful operation, saying it has prevented drugs from reaching US shores and has pushed back on concerns that it is stretching the limits of legal military action.

Although the administration has said the campaign is about halting drugs destined for the US, comments from a top official appeared to suggest a wider political aim. In a recently published interview, the chief of staff remarked the leader “wants to keep on destroying vessels until Venezuela's president cries uncle.”

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