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

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

Background and Prior Actions

This announcement comes a day after a declaration regarding a naval blockade of all sanctioned oil tankers to and from Venezuela. That statement on social media, the US president accused Venezuela of using oil revenues to fund narcotics smuggling and other crimes, vowing to escalate the military presence.

Only on the previous day, the Pentagon stated 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 military engagements have resulted in the deaths of at least 99 people, the majority off the coast of Venezuela.

Government Justifies Tactics Amidst Scrutiny

The administration has faced increasing demands to release video of a 2 September vessel attack. But, officials have declined to do so. The administration has supported its campaign as a successful operation, saying it has prevented drugs from entering US shores and has dismissed concerns that it is exceeding the limits of legal military action.

Although the administration has said the campaign is about halting drugs headed to the US, comments from a top official appeared to suggest a wider geopolitical aim. In a recently published interview, the chief of staff said the president “wants to keep on blowing boats up until Venezuela's president surrenders or concedes.”

This indicates the military campaign may be linked to a push to oust Venezuela's current government.