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

“Joint Task Force Southern Spear conducted a lethal kinetic strike on a craft linked to a Designated Terrorist Organization in open sea. Surveillance confirmed the vessel was transiting along a established drug smuggling route and was engaged in illicit drug transport. A total of four male narco-terrorists were eliminated, and no US military forces were injured.”

Background and Recent Actions

This announcement comes a day after a declaration 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 presence.

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

Administration Justifies Actions Amid Pressure

The government has encountered growing pressure to release video of a 2 September vessel attack. However, the defense secretary have declined to do so. The administration has supported its campaign as a successful operation, arguing it has stopped drugs from entering US shores and has dismissed concerns that it is stretching the bounds of lawful warfare.

While the administration has stated the campaign is about stopping drugs headed to the US, comments from a top official appeared to confirm a wider political aim. In a recently published interview, the senior advisor said the president “wants to keep on destroying vessels until Venezuela's president cries uncle.”

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