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According to a senior defense official, the US armed forces executed a lethal kinetic engagement on a vessel in the Pacific Ocean, killing four individuals.

“Joint Task Force Southern Spear conducted a lethal kinetic strike on a vessel linked to a terrorist group in international waters. Surveillance verified the vessel was traveling along a established narco-trafficking route and was engaged in illicit drug transport. All four male narco-terrorists were eliminated, and no US military forces were harmed.”

Context and Recent Actions

This announcement follows a day after a declaration regarding a naval blockade of all targeted 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 criminal activities, pledging to escalate the military presence.

Only on Tuesday, US defense officials stated it had conducted strikes on three boats it accused of trafficking drugs in the Pacific, killing eight people. Beginning on 2 September, more than 20 military engagements have killed at least 99 individuals, the majority off the coast of Venezuela.

Administration Defends Tactics Amidst Pressure

The administration has encountered growing demands to release video of a September 2nd vessel attack. But, officials have refused to do so. The administration has defended its campaign as a successful operation, arguing it has stopped drugs from entering US shores and has pushed back on concerns that it is exceeding the limits of legal military action.

Although the administration has stated the operation is about stopping drugs destined for the US, remarks from a top official appeared to confirm a wider political objective. In a recent interview, the chief of staff remarked the president “wants to keep on destroying vessels until Venezuela's president cries uncle.”

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