Jens Asbjørn Bøgen
The remarks left open how far the United States might go and whether Congress would be consulted.
According to Reuters, U.S. President Donald Trump told reporters in the Oval Office that his administration considers itself to have the legal authority to strike vessels it says are transporting drugs.
He said the administration could take action at sea against ships believed to be carrying narcotics destined for the United States.
“We’re allowed to do that, and if we do (it) by land, we may go back to Congress,” Trump told reporters in the Oval Office.
“Totally prepared”
The president added that his government was “totally prepared” to begin targeting suspected traffickers on land if it chose to do so.
He warned that any attempt to cross national borders would be met with force if traffickers tried to bring drugs into the United States by land.
Trump also noted that while the administration believes it does not need to seek new authorization, it might return to lawmakers if operations move ashore. “We’ll probably go back to Congress and explain exactly what we’re doing when we come to the land. We don’t have to do that, but I think … I’d like to do that,” he said.
National Guard going to Venezuela?
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt has previously declined to confirm or deny whether President Trump plans to send National Guard troops into Venezuela.
During a press briefing at the White House earlier this month, Leavitt said, “I won’t get into specific proposals being considered by the president and his national security team.”
Since September, U.S. forces have targeted Venezuelan vessels in international waters. On Wednesday, U.S. forces hit a suspected drug vessel in the Pacific for the first time.
More than 20 people have been killed in the operations.
CIA gets the green light
Previously, Trump confirmed that he had authorized covert CIA operations in Venezuela, marking a sharp escalation in U.S. pressure on President Nicolás Maduro, according to Reuters.
The operations may involve lethal force and intelligence missions, raising concerns about the scope and intent behind the strategy.
According to U.S. officials cited by The New York Times, the directive is part of a broader effort to remove Maduro from power.
The U.S. has already offered a $50 million reward for information leading to his arrest on drug trafficking charges, accusing his government of links to organized crime.
Maduro mobilizes
A few months ago, tensions rose as the U.S. government doubled its reward for Maduro’s capture to $50 million.
The Venezuelan leader, Nicolás Maduro, is accused of involvement in drug trafficking — allegations he denies.
Speaking on national television after the increased bounty was announced, Maduro declared a large-scale military mobilization, activating more than 4.5 million militia members across the country.
This article is made and published by Jens Asbjørn Bogen, which may have used AI in the preparation
