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As stated by a senior military spokesperson, the US armed forces carried out a fatal strike on a vessel in the eastern Pacific, resulting in the deaths of four people.

“Joint Task Force Southern Spear carried out a lethal kinetic strike on a craft operated by a terrorist group in international waters. Surveillance verified the vessel was transiting along a known drug smuggling route and was engaged in illicit drug transport. A total of four male narco-terrorists were killed, and no US military forces were harmed.”

Context and Recent Strikes

This announcement follows a day after a declaration regarding a blockade of all targeted oil tankers entering and leaving Venezuela. In that announcement on social media, the US president accused Venezuela of using oil profits to fund drug trafficking and other crimes, vowing to escalate the military presence.

Only on the previous day, the Pentagon stated it had carried out strikes on three boats it accused of trafficking drugs in the Pacific, leading to the deaths of eight people. Since 2 September, more than 20 strikes have killed at least 99 individuals, the majority off the coast of Venezuela.

Administration Justifies Tactics Amid Scrutiny

The government has encountered growing pressure to make public video of a September 2nd vessel attack. However, officials have refused to do so. The administration has defended its efforts as a successful operation, arguing it has prevented drugs from reaching US shores and has pushed back on concerns that it is exceeding the limits of lawful warfare.

While the administration has stated the campaign is about halting drugs destined for the US, remarks from a senior aide appeared to confirm a broader geopolitical objective. 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 suggests the military campaign may be linked to a push to oust Venezuela's current government.