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According to a senior military official, the US armed forces carried out a lethal strike on a vessel in the Pacific Ocean, resulting in the deaths of four people.

“Joint Task Force Southern Spear conducted a deadly attack on a vessel linked to a terrorist group in international waters. Surveillance verified the vessel was traveling along a known narco-trafficking route and was involved in narco-trafficking operations. A total of four male narco-terrorists were killed, and no US military forces were harmed.”

Background and Prior Actions

This announcement follows a day after an announcement regarding a naval blockade of all sanctioned oil tankers entering and leaving Venezuela. That statement on social media, the American leader alleged Venezuela of using oil revenues to fund drug trafficking and criminal activities, vowing to escalate the military presence.

Only on the previous day, the Pentagon said it had conducted strikes on three boats suspected of smuggling narcotics in the Pacific, killing eight people. Beginning on 2 September, over 20 military engagements have resulted in the deaths of at least 99 people, most off the coast of Venezuela.

Government Justifies Actions Amidst Scrutiny

The government has faced growing demands to release video of a September 2nd vessel attack. But, the defense secretary have declined to do so. The administration has supported its campaign as a successful operation, saying it has prevented drugs from reaching US shores and has dismissed concerns that it is exceeding the limits of lawful warfare.

Although the administration has stated the campaign is about stopping drugs headed to the US, comments from a senior aide appeared to confirm a wider political objective. In a recently published interview, the senior advisor remarked the leader “aims to keep on blowing boats up until the Venezuelan president surrenders or concedes.”

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