Trump’s military strikes against alleged Venezuelan drug traffickers have killed 83 people while Congress fails twice to rein in executive power, exposing a dangerous erosion of constitutional checks and balances.
Story Highlights
- Senate twice rejected resolutions requiring congressional approval for Venezuela strikes
- 83 people killed in 21 military strikes on alleged drug vessels since September
- Justice Department claims War Powers Resolution doesn’t apply to unmanned operations
- Venezuela denies drug trafficking allegations, calls strikes illegal intervention
Congressional Oversight Authority Under Fire
The U.S. Senate’s November 6 vote against requiring congressional approval for military action against Venezuela represents a stunning abdication of legislative responsibility. This followed an October vote that similarly failed to limit Caribbean strikes. Congress appears unwilling to exercise its constitutional war powers, allowing the executive branch to operate with unprecedented autonomy in military operations that have already claimed 83 lives across 22 vessels.
Justice Department Rewrites War Powers Rules
The Department of Justice issued a controversial interpretation claiming the War Powers Resolution’s 60-day limit doesn’t apply to these airstrikes. Their argument centers on unmanned vehicles not endangering U.S. armed forces, effectively creating a loophole that could justify indefinite military operations without congressional oversight. This legal maneuvering undermines the foundational principle that Congress must authorize sustained military action, representing a dangerous expansion of executive authority.
Venezuelan Denials Meet American Firepower
While Trump administration officials claim operations target genuine narcoterrorist threats, Venezuela categorically denies these allegations exist. Foreign Minister Yván Gil rejected designations of the “Cartel of the Suns” as terrorist organizations, calling them fabricated justifications for illegal intervention. Venezuela’s Attorney General initially denied the first strike even occurred, highlighting the fundamental disagreement over basic facts that characterizes this conflict.
Military Operations Expand Without Evidence
The Trump administration has not publicized evidence supporting allegations that targeted vessels engaged in drug trafficking. Operations began in September with Navy deployments to the Caribbean, expanding to the Eastern Pacific by October. Secretary of State Marco Rubio designated Venezuelan organization Tren de Aragua and Colombian group ELN as terrorist organizations, providing legal cover for military rather than law enforcement responses to alleged criminal activity.
International observers and human rights groups have characterized these killings as potentially illegal under both U.S. and international law. The absence of independent verification creates a troubling situation where American military force operates based on unsubstantiated government claims, while Congress refuses to exercise its constitutional oversight responsibilities to protect both American democratic principles and international legal norms.
Sources:
2025 United States military strikes on alleged drug traffickers – Wikipedia
