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According to a senior defense official, the US military carried out a fatal kinetic engagement on a vessel in the Pacific Ocean, resulting in the deaths of four individuals.

“Joint Task Force Southern Spear conducted a deadly attack on a craft linked to a terrorist group in international waters. Surveillance confirmed the vessel was traveling along a known drug smuggling route and was involved in narco-trafficking operations. All four male drug traffickers were eliminated, and no American forces were injured.”

Background and Prior Actions

The statement follows a day after an announcement regarding a blockade of all targeted oil tankers to and from Venezuela. In that announcement on social media, the American leader accused Venezuela of using oil revenues to fund narcotics smuggling and criminal activities, vowing to increase the military buildup.

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

Administration Justifies Actions Amid Scrutiny

The administration has faced increasing demands to release video of a 2 September vessel attack. However, officials have refused to do so. The administration has defended 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 lawful warfare.

While the administration has said the operation is about stopping drugs destined for the US, comments from a top official appeared to suggest a broader geopolitical aim. In a recently published interview, the senior advisor remarked the leader “aims to keep on destroying vessels until Venezuela's president cries uncle.”

This suggests the military campaign may be linked to a strategy to remove Venezuela's sitting leadership.