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As stated by a senior military official, the American armed forces carried out 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 international waters. Surveillance verified the vessel was transiting along a established narco-trafficking route and was engaged in narco-trafficking operations. All four male narco-terrorists were eliminated, and no American forces were injured.”

Background and Prior Actions

The statement follows 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 profits to fund drug trafficking and other crimes, pledging to increase the military presence.

Only on the previous day, US defense officials said it had conducted strikes on three boats it accused of smuggling narcotics in the Pacific, killing eight people. Since 2 September, over 20 military engagements have killed at least 99 individuals, most off the coast of Venezuela.

Administration Defends Actions Amidst Pressure

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

While the administration has stated the campaign is about halting drugs headed to the US, comments from a senior aide seemed to confirm a broader political objective. In a recently published interview, the chief of staff remarked the president “wants to keep on destroying vessels until the Venezuelan president surrenders or concedes.”

This indicates the military campaign may be linked to a strategy to oust Venezuela's current leadership.