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As stated by a senior defense spokesperson, the US military carried out a fatal strike on a boat in the eastern Pacific, resulting in the deaths of four individuals.

“Joint Task Force Southern Spear conducted a lethal kinetic strike on a vessel linked to a Designated Terrorist Organization in international waters. Intelligence confirmed the vessel was traveling along a known narco-trafficking route and was engaged in narco-trafficking operations. All four male drug traffickers were eliminated, and no American forces were harmed.”

Background and Prior Strikes

The statement follows a day after a declaration regarding a naval blockade of all sanctioned oil tankers to and from Venezuela. In that announcement on social media, the American leader accused Venezuela of using oil profits to fund narcotics smuggling and other crimes, vowing to escalate the military presence.

Just on Tuesday, the Pentagon said it had carried out strikes on three boats suspected of trafficking drugs in the Pacific, leading to the deaths of eight people. Since 2 September, more than 20 strikes have resulted in the deaths of at least 99 individuals, the majority off the coast of Venezuela.

Government Justifies Actions Amid Pressure

The administration has faced growing demands to make public video of a 2 September vessel attack. However, officials have declined to do so. The administration has defended its efforts as a successful operation, arguing it has stopped drugs from entering US shores and has dismissed concerns that it is stretching the bounds of lawful warfare.

While the administration has said the campaign is about stopping drugs destined for the US, comments from a senior aide seemed to suggest a wider geopolitical aim. In a recent interview, the senior advisor remarked the president “aims to keep on blowing boats up until the Venezuelan president surrenders or concedes.”

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