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According to a senior military spokesperson, the American armed forces executed a lethal kinetic engagement on a boat in the eastern Pacific, killing four people.

“Joint Task Force Southern Spear carried out a deadly attack on a vessel operated by a terrorist group in international waters. Surveillance verified the vessel was traveling along a known narco-trafficking route and was engaged in narco-trafficking operations. A total of four male drug traffickers were killed, and no US military forces were injured.”

Context and Prior Strikes

The statement comes a day after an announcement regarding a blockade of all sanctioned oil tankers entering and leaving Venezuela. In that announcement on social media, the American leader alleged Venezuela of using oil profits to fund narcotics smuggling and criminal activities, vowing to increase the military presence.

Just on Tuesday, the Pentagon stated it had conducted strikes on three boats suspected of smuggling narcotics in the Pacific, leading to the deaths of eight people. Beginning on 2 September, more than 20 military engagements have killed at least 99 people, the majority off the coast of Venezuela.

Government Defends Tactics Amidst Pressure

The government has encountered increasing demands to release video of a 2 September vessel attack. However, the defense secretary have refused to do so. The administration has supported its efforts as a success, saying it has stopped drugs from entering US shores and has dismissed concerns that it is exceeding the bounds of lawful warfare.

Although the administration has said the operation is about halting drugs headed to the US, remarks from a top official seemed to confirm a broader geopolitical aim. In a recently published interview, the chief of staff remarked the president “aims to keep on blowing boats up until Venezuela's president surrenders or concedes.”

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