Trump administration officials stated during a classified briefing that the United States lacks legal grounds to conduct strikes within Venezuela, according to reports. The discussion involved Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, and a White House Office of Legal Counsel official. They emphasized that a recent Justice Department opinion justifying strikes on drug-smuggling vessels in international waters does not extend to operations inside Venezuela.
The administration is seeking an alternative legal rationale to authorize land-based strikes without congressional approval. Since September 2, the U.S. has carried out 16 attacks on alleged drug-trafficking ships in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific. A Miami Herald report suggested plans to target Venezuelan military installations linked to the Soles cartel, though President Donald Trump denied these claims. Despite this, Trump has repeatedly indicated his intent to strike drug-related targets within Venezuela, stating, “The land is going to be next.”
A bipartisan group of senators introduced a resolution urging the president to halt military actions against Venezuela unless authorized by Congress or a declaration of war. The measure, backed by 15 co-sponsors including Democrats Tim Kaine and Adam Schiff and Republican Rand Paul, faces a vote. Senator Kaine criticized the administration for bypassing legislative oversight, arguing that “Congress should not cede its power to any president.”
The White House defended the actions, asserting they align with Trump’s constitutional duty to protect Americans from narcoterrorism. “All actions comply fully with the law of armed conflict,” a press office statement claimed.
