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As stated by a senior military official, the US armed forces carried out a fatal kinetic engagement on a vessel in the Pacific Ocean, killing four individuals.

“A US joint task force carried out a deadly attack on a vessel operated by a terrorist group in international waters. Surveillance confirmed the vessel was transiting along a established narco-trafficking route and was involved in narco-trafficking operations. A total of four male narco-terrorists were killed, and no US military forces were injured.”

Context and Prior 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 alleged Venezuela of using oil revenues to fund drug trafficking and criminal activities, pledging to escalate the military presence.

Only on the previous day, the Pentagon stated it had carried out strikes on three boats suspected of smuggling narcotics in the Pacific, leading to the deaths of eight people. Since 2 September, over 20 strikes have resulted in the deaths of at least 99 individuals, most off the coast of Venezuela.

Administration Defends Tactics Amidst Pressure

The administration has faced increasing pressure to release video of a 2 September vessel attack. However, the defense secretary have refused to do so. The administration has supported its campaign as a successful operation, arguing it has prevented drugs from reaching US shores and has pushed back on concerns that it is stretching the bounds of legal military action.

Although the administration has said the campaign is about stopping drugs headed to the US, comments from a senior aide seemed to suggest a broader political aim. In a recent interview, the senior advisor said the president “wants to keep on destroying vessels until the Venezuelan president surrenders or concedes.”

This indicates the series of strikes may be linked to a push to oust Venezuela's sitting government.