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According to a high-ranking military official, the American armed forces carried out a fatal strike on a vessel in the eastern Pacific, killing four individuals.

“Joint Task Force Southern Spear carried out a lethal kinetic strike on a vessel operated by a Designated Terrorist Organization in international waters. Intelligence verified the vessel was traveling along a known drug smuggling route and was involved in narco-trafficking operations. A total of four male drug traffickers were killed, and no US military forces were harmed.”

Context and Recent Actions

The statement comes a day after a declaration regarding a blockade of all sanctioned oil tankers entering and leaving Venezuela. In that announcement on online platforms, the American leader alleged Venezuela of using oil revenues to fund drug trafficking and other crimes, vowing to increase the military presence.

Only on Tuesday, the Pentagon stated it had conducted strikes on three boats it accused of smuggling narcotics in the Pacific, killing eight people. Since 2 September, over 20 strikes have killed at least 99 individuals, the majority off the coast of Venezuela.

Government Justifies Tactics Amidst Scrutiny

The administration has faced increasing demands to make public video of a 2 September vessel attack. But, the defense secretary 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, remarks from a top official appeared to confirm a wider political aim. In a recently published interview, the chief of staff remarked the president “aims to keep on blowing boats up until the Venezuelan president cries uncle.”

This indicates the series of strikes may be part of a strategy to remove Venezuela's current leadership.