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According to a high-ranking military official, the US military carried out a lethal strike on a vessel in the Pacific Ocean, killing four people.

“Joint Task Force Southern Spear carried out a lethal kinetic strike on a craft linked to a terrorist group in international waters. Surveillance confirmed the vessel was traveling along a established drug smuggling route and was engaged in narco-trafficking operations. All four male narco-terrorists were eliminated, and no American forces were injured.”

Context and Recent Strikes

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

Just on the previous day, US defense officials stated it had carried out strikes on three boats suspected of smuggling narcotics in the Pacific, leading to the deaths of eight people. Since 2 September, over 20 strikes have killed at least 99 people, most 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. But, the defense secretary have refused to do so. The administration has supported its efforts as a successful operation, arguing it has prevented drugs from entering US shores and has pushed back on concerns that it is exceeding the limits of legal military action.

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

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