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As stated by a senior military spokesperson, the American armed forces carried out a fatal kinetic engagement on a boat in the eastern Pacific, resulting in the deaths of four people.

“A US joint task force conducted a deadly attack on a vessel linked to a Designated Terrorist Organization in international waters. Surveillance verified the vessel was traveling along a established narco-trafficking route and was involved in narco-trafficking operations. A total of four male drug traffickers were eliminated, and no US military forces were injured.”

Context and Prior Actions

This announcement comes a day after an announcement regarding a naval blockade of all sanctioned oil tankers entering and leaving Venezuela. That statement on online platforms, the US president accused Venezuela of using oil revenues to fund narcotics smuggling and other crimes, pledging to increase the military buildup.

Only on Tuesday, US defense officials said it had carried out strikes on three boats suspected of trafficking drugs in the Pacific, killing eight people. Beginning on 2 September, more than 20 strikes have resulted in the deaths of at least 99 individuals, the majority off the coast of Venezuela.

Administration Justifies Actions Amidst Pressure

The administration has faced growing demands to make public video of a 2 September vessel attack. But, officials have declined to do so. The administration has defended its efforts as a success, arguing it has stopped drugs from reaching US shores and has dismissed concerns that it is exceeding the limits of lawful warfare.

Although the administration has said the campaign is about stopping drugs destined for the US, remarks from a senior aide seemed to confirm a wider political aim. In a recently published interview, the senior advisor 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 part of a push to remove Venezuela's sitting leadership.