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As stated by a senior defense official, the American armed forces carried out a fatal kinetic engagement on a vessel in the eastern Pacific, resulting in the deaths of four individuals.

“Joint Task Force Southern Spear conducted a lethal kinetic strike on a craft operated by a Designated Terrorist Organization in open sea. Intelligence confirmed the vessel was transiting along a established drug smuggling route and was involved in illicit drug transport. All four male drug traffickers were killed, and no US military forces were harmed.”

Background and Recent Actions

The statement comes a day after an announcement regarding a naval blockade of all sanctioned oil tankers to and from Venezuela. That statement on online platforms, the American leader alleged Venezuela of using oil profits to fund narcotics smuggling and criminal activities, pledging to increase the military presence.

Only on Tuesday, the Pentagon said it had conducted strikes on three boats suspected of trafficking drugs in the Pacific, killing eight people. Since 2 September, over 20 military engagements have killed at least 99 individuals, the majority off the coast of Venezuela.

Government Justifies Tactics Amidst Scrutiny

The administration has faced increasing pressure to make public video of a September 2nd vessel attack. But, officials have refused to do so. The administration has supported its efforts as a successful operation, 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 stated the operation is about stopping drugs headed to the US, comments from a senior aide appeared to suggest a broader political objective. In a recent interview, the senior advisor remarked the leader “wants to keep on blowing boats up until the Venezuelan president cries uncle.”

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