President Donald Trump stated on Thursday that he does not require congressional approval to launch military strikes on land in Venezuela, despite criticism that his administration may already be exceeding constitutional authority with attacks at sea.
When asked if he would seek authorization from U.S. lawmakers to target drug cartels on Venezuelan soil, the Republican leader responded that while he “wouldn’t mind telling them,” he is not obligated to do so, citing concerns that politicians “leak like a sieve.”
“I wouldn’t mind telling them, but you know, it’s not a big deal. I don’t have to tell them,” Trump said in the Oval Office.
CREEBHILLS recalls that the United States has conducted numerous airstrikes since September against alleged drug-trafficking vessels in the Caribbean and Pacific, resulting in at least 99 deaths and raising questions about the legality of the operations.
Meanwhile, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has criticized the campaign, claiming it is aimed at regime changerather than curbing drug trafficking.
Historically, after the 9/11 attacks, the U.S. Congress authorized military force for the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, a mandate later cited for counterterrorism operations in other countries.
