Senior Trump administration officials informed lawmakers on Wednesday that the United States has no current plans to launch military strikes within Venezuela and lacks the legal basis to justify such actions against land targets. This revelation came during a classified briefing led by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and a representative from the White House’s Office of Legal Counsel, according to sources familiar with the session. The briefing emphasized that the Justice Department’s legal opinion, which previously justified strikes against suspected drug boats, does not extend to operations within Venezuelan territory or other land-based targets. The officials also clarified that the “execute order” initiating the US military campaign against drug trafficking in September does not authorize land strikes. While the administration has not ruled out future actions, it is reportedly seeking a separate legal opinion from the Justice Department to justify potential land-based operations without congressional approval. The buildup of US military assets in the Caribbean, including the Ford Carrier Strike Group, has sparked speculation about possible strikes in Venezuela. However, officials stated that these assets are solely intended to support counternarcotic efforts and intelligence gathering. The administration has avoided involving Congress in its military operations in Latin America, asserting that it can conduct lethal strikes against alleged drug traffickers without legislative approval. Since September, the US military has carried out 16 strikes against boats in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific, resulting in at least 67 deaths. Lawmakers have raised concerns about the legality and transparency of these operations, with some questioning the necessity of lethal force over interdiction methods. Despite assurances from officials like Rubio that strikes are meticulously tracked and justified, critics argue that the evidence linking targeted vessels to drug trafficking remains insufficient.
Trump admin tells Congress it currently lacks legal justification to strike Venezuela
