Officials from the Trump administration informed lawmakers that the U.S. is not planning to launch military strikes inside Venezuela. They emphasized there’s no legal basis for such actions at this time. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and a legal counsel representative delivered this message in a classified briefing.
During this session, they clarified that the legal opinion from the Justice Department allows strikes against suspected drug boats but does not extend to land targets in Venezuela. This means any military campaign will focus solely on maritime operations.
The military’s recent actions began in September, targeting drug trafficking boats in the Caribbean and nearby waters. However, they confirmed that any legal authority to attack is limited to specific cartels and organizations without involving ground strikes.
The Trump administration is currently seeking a new legal opinion to justify potential operations on land without needing Congress’s approval, although no decisions have been made about such strikes yet. A U.S. official noted the fluidity of the situation, stating, “What is true one day may very well not be the next.”
The buildup of military resources—like the Ford Carrier Strike Group—in the Caribbean has sparked speculation about potential strikes in Venezuela. Still, officials reassured that the troop movements aim to bolster narcotics operations and intelligence efforts.
As the administration avoids Congressional involvement, a senior Justice Department official recently asserted that military operations against drug traffickers can continue without legislative oversight. This ongoing operation has seen about 16 strikes since September, claiming at least 67 lives. However, the identities of individuals onboard these vessels prior to strikes remain largely unknown.
Strikes are conducted based on intelligence linking boats to drug trafficking organizations. Despite ongoing operations, some lawmakers voiced concerns. Senator Mark Warner expressed confidence in U.S. intelligence capabilities but questioned the necessity of lethal force instead of traditional interdiction methods, which yield evidence for prosecution.
Conversely, Representative Gregory Meeks expressed skepticism, stating that the evidence supporting these strikes was insufficient. He stressed the lack of clarity regarding how the administration connects these boats and their crews to drug trafficking activities.
In response, officials maintain that every strike is backed by considerable intelligence. Rubio assured that they track vessels meticulously from coordination to execution, stating, “We know where they’re headed and what organizations they’re involved in.”
This focused approach reflects not only the complexities of national security but also the ongoing challenges in countering drug trafficking at sea. As the situation evolves, the impact of these military operations will remain a key point of discussion.
