President Donald Trump has declared the United States is at "war" with drug cartels in Venezuela, signalling a significant escalation in military action that now includes planned strikes on land targets. The announcement marks a stark reversal from his previous denials and raises serious legal questions under the War Powers Act.
From Denial to Declaration of War
Speaking at the White House on Wednesday, 3rd December 2025, Trump insisted there was public support for using military assets, rather than law enforcement, to combat drug trafficking across the Caribbean and the Americas. "I think you’re going to find that this is war, that these people were killing our people by millions," the President claimed. He ominously added that operations would soon move beyond maritime targets: "And very soon we’re going to start doing it on land too."
This represents a complete U-turn from his position in October, when he directly denied media reports that he was considering strikes on the Venezuelan mainland. The shift also contradicts assurances from allies like Senator Markwayne Mullin, who claimed just last weekend that Trump had "made it very clear we’re not going to put troops into Venezuela."
Escalating Actions and Legal Quandaries
The rhetoric accompanies a sustained military campaign. Since September, dozens of U.S. strikes on alleged drug-carrying boats in the Caribbean Sea and Pacific Ocean have killed more than 80 people. The administration has released videos targeting small Venezuelan vessels, though these boats are not thought to be bound for the U.S. or an immediate threat to military assets.
Trump has repeatedly stated he will not seek authorisation from Congress for these actions, directly challenging the War Powers resolution. This law requires presidential recourse to Congress for any military engagement lasting beyond 60 days. Legal experts contend the ongoing campaign is a clear violation, with any move to strike inside Venezuela—potentially targeting members of Nicolás Maduro's government—further stretching legal justifications for targeting criminal organisations.
Reports suggest the threats have profoundly impacted Caracas, with claims that Maduro is now sleeping in a different bed each night due to fears of U.S. strikes.
Scrutiny Over Tactics and Command Responsibility
The campaign faces growing scrutiny, particularly over a controversial "double tap" strike on 2nd September. In this incident, U.S. Navy SEALs fired upon a heavily damaged and burning vessel to which survivors of an initial strike were clinging. Republican-led House and Senate armed services committees have announced investigations into the event.
Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth has sought to distance himself, shifting blame to the Navy's top officer leading the strike, Admiral Frank Bradley. Hegseth claims he left the room before the second strike was ordered. However, experts question this explanation's veracity and value, noting that as the lead targeting authority, the Secretary would likely still be held ultimately culpable. While prosecution under the current administration is unlikely, committee investigations could unearth evidence for a future administration.
As the military buildup in the Caribbean continues, Trump's declaration of an open-ended "war" sets the stage for a deeper, more controversial conflict, testing the limits of executive power and international law.
