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According to a senior defense spokesperson, the US armed forces carried out a fatal strike on a boat in the Pacific Ocean, resulting in the deaths of four individuals.

“A US joint task force conducted a lethal kinetic strike on a craft operated by a terrorist group in international waters. Intelligence verified 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 eliminated, and no US military forces were injured.”

Context and Prior Strikes

The statement follows a day after a declaration regarding a blockade of all sanctioned oil tankers entering and leaving Venezuela. In that announcement on social media, the American leader accused Venezuela of using oil profits to fund narcotics smuggling and other crimes, pledging to increase the military buildup.

Only on Tuesday, the Pentagon said it had conducted strikes on three boats it accused of smuggling narcotics in the Pacific, killing eight people. Since 2 September, more than 20 military engagements have killed at least 99 people, most off the coast of Venezuela.

Administration Justifies Tactics Amidst Scrutiny

The government has encountered increasing pressure to make public video of a 2 September vessel attack. However, officials have declined to do so. The administration has supported its campaign as a successful operation, arguing it has prevented drugs from reaching US shores and has dismissed concerns that it is stretching the limits of legal military action.

While the administration has stated the operation is about halting drugs destined for the US, comments from a senior aide seemed to confirm a broader geopolitical objective. In a recent interview, the senior advisor remarked the leader “aims to keep on destroying vessels until the Venezuelan president cries uncle.”

This suggests the series of strikes may be part of a push to remove Venezuela's sitting government.