According to a senior military spokesperson, the US armed forces carried out a fatal strike on a vessel in the Pacific Ocean, resulting in the deaths of four individuals.
“A US joint task force conducted a deadly attack on a craft linked to a terrorist group in international waters. Surveillance confirmed the vessel was traveling along a known drug smuggling route and was engaged in illicit drug transport. A total of four male drug traffickers were killed, and no American forces were harmed.”
Context and Prior Strikes
The statement follows a day after an announcement regarding a blockade of all sanctioned oil tankers to and from Venezuela. That statement on online platforms, the US president accused Venezuela of using oil profits to fund drug trafficking and criminal activities, vowing to increase the military presence.
Just on the previous day, the Pentagon said it had carried out strikes on three boats suspected of trafficking drugs in the Pacific, killing 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.
Administration Justifies Actions Amid Pressure
The administration has encountered increasing demands to make public video of a September 2nd vessel attack. But, officials have declined to do so. The administration has defended its efforts as a success, saying it has prevented drugs from entering US shores and has pushed back on concerns that it is exceeding the bounds of lawful warfare.
Although the administration has said the campaign is about stopping drugs destined for the US, remarks from a top official appeared to suggest a broader political aim. In a recently published interview, the chief of staff said the leader “aims to keep on destroying vessels until the Venezuelan president cries uncle.”
This indicates the military campaign may be part of a push to oust Venezuela's current government.
