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As stated by a high-ranking military spokesperson, the US military executed a lethal kinetic engagement on a vessel in the eastern Pacific, killing four individuals.

“Joint Task Force Southern Spear conducted a lethal kinetic strike on a vessel operated by a terrorist group in open sea. Intelligence verified the vessel was transiting along a known narco-trafficking route and was engaged in illicit drug transport. All four male drug traffickers were killed, and no US military forces were harmed.”

Background and Prior Actions

This announcement follows a day after a declaration regarding a naval blockade of all sanctioned oil tankers entering and leaving Venezuela. That statement on social media, the US president accused Venezuela of using oil profits to fund narcotics smuggling and criminal activities, vowing to increase the military buildup.

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

Government Defends Tactics Amid Pressure

The administration has faced increasing demands to make public video of a September 2nd vessel attack. But, the defense secretary have declined 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 destined for the US, comments from a senior aide seemed to confirm a wider geopolitical aim. In a recently published interview, the senior advisor remarked the leader “wants to keep on blowing boats up until Venezuela's president surrenders or concedes.”

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