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According to a high-ranking defense official, the US armed forces executed a lethal kinetic engagement on a boat in the eastern Pacific, resulting in the deaths of four individuals.

“A US joint task force conducted a lethal kinetic strike on a vessel linked to a terrorist group in international waters. Intelligence confirmed the vessel was traveling along a established narco-trafficking route and was involved in narco-trafficking operations. All four male drug traffickers were killed, and no US military forces were harmed.”

Context and Prior Strikes

This announcement 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 American leader alleged Venezuela of using oil profits to fund narcotics smuggling and criminal activities, pledging to increase the military buildup.

Only on the previous day, US defense officials stated it had carried out strikes on three boats it accused of trafficking drugs in the Pacific, killing eight people. Beginning on 2 September, more than 20 military engagements have killed at least 99 individuals, most off the coast of Venezuela.

Administration Justifies Tactics Amid Pressure

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

While the administration has said the campaign is about halting drugs headed to the US, remarks from a senior aide seemed to suggest a broader geopolitical aim. In a recent interview, the chief of staff remarked the president “wants to keep on destroying vessels until the Venezuelan president cries uncle.”

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