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As stated by a senior defense spokesperson, the US armed forces carried out a lethal strike on a vessel in the Pacific Ocean, 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 open sea. Surveillance confirmed the vessel was traveling along a established drug smuggling route and was involved in narco-trafficking operations. A total of four male narco-terrorists were killed, and no US military forces were injured.”

Context and Prior Strikes

This announcement comes a day after a declaration regarding a naval blockade of all sanctioned oil tankers to and from Venezuela. That statement on online platforms, the American leader accused Venezuela of using oil profits to fund narcotics smuggling and criminal activities, vowing to increase the military buildup.

Just on the previous day, the Pentagon said it had carried out strikes on three boats suspected of trafficking drugs in the Pacific, leading to the deaths of eight people. Beginning on 2 September, over 20 strikes have resulted in the deaths of at least 99 people, most off the coast of Venezuela.

Government Defends Actions Amid Pressure

The administration has encountered growing demands to make public video of a 2 September vessel attack. But, the defense secretary have refused to do so. The administration has supported its campaign as a success, arguing it has prevented drugs from entering US shores and has pushed back on concerns that it is stretching 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 seemed to suggest a wider political aim. In a recent interview, the chief of staff said the leader “wants to keep on destroying vessels until Venezuela's president cries uncle.”

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