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According to a high-ranking defense official, the American armed forces executed a fatal strike on a vessel in the Pacific Ocean, resulting in the deaths of four individuals.

“A US joint task force carried out a deadly attack on a craft operated by a Designated Terrorist Organization in international waters. Surveillance confirmed the vessel was transiting along a established narco-trafficking route and was involved in illicit drug transport. A total of four male drug traffickers were eliminated, and no US military forces were harmed.”

Background and Prior Strikes

This announcement comes a day after an announcement regarding a blockade of all targeted oil tankers to and from Venezuela. That statement on social media, the American leader alleged Venezuela of using oil revenues to fund drug trafficking and criminal activities, pledging to escalate the military buildup.

Only on Tuesday, US defense officials stated it had carried out strikes on three boats suspected of smuggling narcotics in the Pacific, killing eight people. Since 2 September, over 20 strikes have resulted in the deaths of at least 99 people, the majority off the coast of Venezuela.

Government Defends Tactics Amidst Pressure

The administration has faced growing pressure to release 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, saying it has stopped drugs from entering US shores and has pushed back on concerns that it is exceeding the bounds of legal military action.

While the administration has said the operation is about stopping drugs destined for the US, comments from a senior aide appeared to suggest a wider geopolitical objective. In a recent interview, the senior advisor said the leader “wants to keep on destroying vessels until Venezuela's president cries uncle.”

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