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According to a senior military official, the American armed forces carried out a fatal kinetic engagement on a vessel in the eastern Pacific, killing four people.

“Joint Task Force Southern Spear carried out a lethal kinetic strike on a craft operated by a terrorist group in international waters. Intelligence verified the vessel was traveling along a known drug smuggling route and was involved in narco-trafficking operations. A total of four male drug traffickers were eliminated, and no US military forces were injured.”

Background and Recent Strikes

This announcement comes a day after an announcement regarding a blockade of all targeted oil tankers to and from Venezuela. That statement on social media, the American leader alleged Venezuela of using oil profits to fund drug trafficking and other crimes, vowing to increase the military buildup.

Just on the previous day, US defense officials said it had conducted strikes on three boats suspected of smuggling narcotics in the Pacific, killing eight people. Since 2 September, more than 20 military engagements have resulted in the deaths of at least 99 individuals, most off the coast of Venezuela.

Administration Justifies Tactics Amid Scrutiny

The administration has encountered growing pressure to make public video of a September 2nd vessel attack. However, the defense secretary have refused to do so. The administration has defended its campaign as a successful operation, saying it has stopped drugs from entering US shores and has pushed back on concerns that it is exceeding the limits of lawful warfare.

While the administration has stated the operation is about stopping drugs headed to the US, remarks from a top official appeared to suggest a wider political objective. In a recently published interview, the senior advisor remarked the leader “aims to keep on destroying vessels until the Venezuelan president surrenders or concedes.”

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