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According to a high-ranking defense official, the American armed forces executed a fatal kinetic engagement on a boat in the eastern Pacific, killing four individuals.

“Joint Task Force Southern Spear conducted a deadly attack on a vessel operated by a terrorist group in international waters. Intelligence verified the vessel was traveling along a established drug smuggling route and was involved in illicit drug transport. A total of four male drug traffickers were killed, and no American forces were harmed.”

Context and Recent Strikes

The statement comes a day after a declaration regarding a blockade of all targeted oil tankers entering and leaving Venezuela. That statement on online platforms, the American leader alleged Venezuela of using oil profits to fund drug trafficking and other crimes, vowing to escalate the military presence.

Only on Tuesday, US defense officials said it had conducted strikes on three boats it accused of trafficking drugs in the Pacific, leading to the deaths of eight people. Since 2 September, more than 20 strikes have resulted in the deaths of at least 99 individuals, most off the coast of Venezuela.

Government Defends Tactics Amid Pressure

The government has encountered growing pressure to make public 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, arguing it has prevented drugs from entering US shores and has dismissed concerns that it is exceeding the bounds of legal military action.

While the administration has stated the operation is about stopping drugs headed to the US, comments from a senior aide appeared to confirm a wider political aim. In a recent interview, the senior advisor remarked the president “wants to keep on blowing boats up until Venezuela's president cries uncle.”

This suggests the military campaign may be part of a strategy to remove Venezuela's sitting leadership.