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According to a senior defense official, the American military executed a fatal strike on a boat in the eastern Pacific, resulting in the deaths of four individuals.

“A US joint task force carried out a lethal kinetic strike on a craft linked to a Designated Terrorist Organization in open sea. Intelligence confirmed the vessel was transiting along a established drug smuggling route and was engaged in illicit drug transport. A total of four male narco-terrorists were eliminated, and no American forces were injured.”

Background and Recent Strikes

The statement comes a day after a declaration regarding a naval blockade of all targeted oil tankers entering and leaving Venezuela. That statement on social media, the US president alleged Venezuela of using oil profits to fund drug trafficking and criminal activities, pledging to increase the military presence.

Only on the previous day, US defense officials stated it had carried out strikes on three boats it accused of smuggling narcotics in the Pacific, killing eight people. Since 2 September, over 20 military engagements have resulted in the deaths of at least 99 people, the majority off the coast of Venezuela.

Government Justifies Tactics Amid Scrutiny

The government has faced increasing pressure to release video of a 2 September vessel attack. But, officials have declined to do so. The administration has defended its campaign as a success, arguing it has prevented drugs from reaching US shores and has pushed back on concerns that it is exceeding the limits of legal military action.

While the administration has stated the campaign is about halting drugs destined for the US, comments from a senior aide appeared to confirm a broader political aim. In a recently published interview, the chief of staff remarked the president “aims to keep on destroying vessels until the Venezuelan president cries uncle.”

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