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

“A US joint task force conducted a lethal kinetic strike 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 engaged in narco-trafficking operations. All four male drug traffickers were eliminated, and no American forces were harmed.”

Context and Prior Strikes

The statement comes a day after a declaration regarding a blockade of all targeted oil tankers to and from Venezuela. In that announcement on online platforms, the US president accused Venezuela of using oil profits to fund narcotics smuggling and other crimes, pledging to escalate the military presence.

Only on the previous day, the Pentagon stated it had carried out strikes on three boats it accused of trafficking drugs in the Pacific, leading to the deaths of eight people. Beginning on 2 September, more than 20 military engagements have killed at least 99 individuals, most off the coast of Venezuela.

Administration Justifies Actions Amidst Pressure

The government has encountered increasing pressure to make public video of a 2 September vessel attack. But, the defense secretary have refused to do so. The administration has defended its campaign as a success, saying it has prevented drugs from reaching US shores and has dismissed concerns that it is exceeding the bounds of lawful warfare.

Although the administration has stated the operation is about stopping drugs destined for the US, comments from a top official appeared to suggest a wider political objective. In a recent interview, the senior advisor said the leader “wants to keep on destroying vessels until Venezuela's president surrenders or concedes.”

This suggests the military campaign may be linked to a push to oust Venezuela's current leadership.