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According to a senior military spokesperson, the US military executed a fatal strike on a boat in the Pacific Ocean, killing four people.

“Joint Task Force Southern Spear conducted a deadly attack on a craft operated by a Designated Terrorist Organization in open sea. Surveillance verified the vessel was transiting along a known drug smuggling route and was engaged in illicit drug transport. All four male narco-terrorists were eliminated, and no US military forces were injured.”

Background and Prior Strikes

This announcement follows a day after an announcement regarding a naval blockade of all sanctioned oil tankers to and from Venezuela. That statement on social media, the US president accused Venezuela of using oil profits to fund narcotics smuggling and other crimes, pledging to increase the military presence.

Only on the previous day, US defense officials stated it had conducted strikes on three boats it accused of trafficking drugs in the Pacific, leading to the deaths of eight people. Beginning on 2 September, over 20 military engagements have resulted in the deaths of at least 99 individuals, the majority off the coast of Venezuela.

Government Justifies Tactics Amidst Pressure

The government has faced increasing demands to make public video of a September 2nd vessel attack. However, the defense secretary 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 pushed back on concerns that it is stretching the bounds of legal military action.

While the administration has stated the campaign is about halting drugs destined for the US, remarks from a top official seemed to confirm a wider political objective. In a recent interview, the senior advisor remarked the president “aims to keep on destroying vessels until the Venezuelan president cries uncle.”

This indicates the series of strikes may be part of a strategy to remove Venezuela's current government.