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As stated by a high-ranking military official, the American military executed a lethal strike on a vessel in the eastern Pacific, resulting in the deaths of four people.

“Joint Task Force Southern Spear conducted a deadly attack on a craft operated by a terrorist group in open sea. Intelligence confirmed the vessel was transiting along a established narco-trafficking route and was engaged 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 an announcement regarding a blockade of all sanctioned oil tankers entering and leaving Venezuela. In that announcement on online platforms, the American leader accused Venezuela of using oil revenues to fund drug trafficking and criminal activities, pledging to escalate the military presence.

Only on Tuesday, US defense officials 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, over 20 military engagements have resulted in the deaths of at least 99 people, most off the coast of Venezuela.

Administration Defends Actions Amidst Pressure

The administration has encountered growing pressure to release video of a 2 September vessel attack. But, the defense secretary have declined to do so. The administration has defended its campaign as a success, saying it has stopped drugs from reaching US shores and has pushed back on concerns that it is stretching the bounds of lawful warfare.

Although the administration has said the operation is about halting drugs destined for the US, remarks from a top official appeared to suggest a wider political objective. In a recently published interview, the chief of staff said the president “wants to keep on blowing boats up until Venezuela's president surrenders or concedes.”

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