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As stated by a high-ranking military spokesperson, the US armed forces carried out a lethal kinetic engagement on a vessel in the Pacific Ocean, killing four people.

“A US joint task force conducted a lethal kinetic strike on a vessel linked to a Designated Terrorist Organization in international waters. Intelligence confirmed the vessel was traveling along a established drug smuggling route and was engaged in narco-trafficking operations. A total of four male drug traffickers were killed, and no American forces were harmed.”

Background and Prior Actions

The statement follows a day after an announcement regarding a blockade of all sanctioned oil tankers to and from Venezuela. In that announcement on online platforms, the US president accused Venezuela of using oil revenues to fund narcotics smuggling and criminal activities, vowing to escalate the military buildup.

Just on Tuesday, US defense officials said it had carried out strikes on three boats suspected of trafficking drugs in the Pacific, leading to the deaths of eight people. Since 2 September, over 20 military engagements have killed at least 99 individuals, the majority off the coast of Venezuela.

Government Defends Actions Amidst Scrutiny

The government has encountered increasing pressure to make public video of a September 2nd vessel attack. However, officials have declined to do so. The administration has supported its campaign as a success, saying it has stopped drugs from entering US shores and has pushed back on concerns that it is exceeding the limits of legal military action.

While the administration has said the operation is about stopping drugs destined for the US, comments from a senior aide appeared to confirm a broader political aim. In a recent interview, the chief of staff said the president “aims to keep on destroying vessels until Venezuela's president surrenders or concedes.”

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