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As stated by a senior military spokesperson, the American armed forces executed a fatal strike on a vessel in the eastern Pacific, killing four individuals.

“Joint Task Force Southern Spear conducted a lethal kinetic strike on a craft operated by a terrorist group in open sea. Intelligence verified the vessel was transiting along a established drug smuggling route and was engaged in illicit drug transport. A total of four male drug traffickers were killed, and no US military forces were harmed.”

Context and Prior Strikes

This announcement follows a day after an announcement regarding a blockade of all targeted oil tankers entering and leaving Venezuela. In that announcement on social media, the US president alleged Venezuela of using oil profits to fund narcotics smuggling and criminal activities, pledging to increase the military buildup.

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

Administration Justifies Tactics Amidst Pressure

The administration has encountered increasing pressure 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 successful operation, arguing 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 campaign is about halting drugs headed to the US, remarks from a senior aide seemed to suggest a wider geopolitical objective. In a recently published interview, the chief of staff remarked the leader “aims to keep on destroying vessels until the Venezuelan president cries uncle.”

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