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According to a senior military spokesperson, the American military executed a fatal strike on a boat in the eastern Pacific, resulting in the deaths of four individuals.

“Joint Task Force Southern Spear carried out a deadly attack on a vessel operated by a terrorist group in open sea. Intelligence confirmed the vessel was traveling along a known narco-trafficking route and was involved in narco-trafficking operations. All four male narco-terrorists were killed, and no American forces were harmed.”

Context and Prior Actions

This announcement comes a day after an announcement regarding a blockade of all targeted oil tankers entering and leaving Venezuela. In that announcement on social media, the American leader alleged Venezuela of using oil revenues to fund narcotics smuggling and other crimes, vowing to increase the military presence.

Only on Tuesday, US defense officials stated it had carried out strikes on three boats suspected of smuggling narcotics in the Pacific, killing eight people. Since 2 September, over 20 military engagements have killed at least 99 individuals, the majority off the coast of Venezuela.

Government Defends Tactics Amid Pressure

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

Although the administration has said the campaign is about stopping drugs destined for the US, comments from a senior aide appeared to suggest a wider geopolitical aim. In a recent interview, the senior advisor remarked the president “aims to keep on destroying vessels until Venezuela's president cries uncle.”

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