Trump Governance authorizes Strikes in Venezuela,Cites “Armed Conflict” with Cartels
WASHINGTON – The Trump administration has reportedly authorized military strikes within Venezuela,justified by the assertion that the US is engaged in an “armed conflict” with drug cartels,mirroring the legal rationale employed by the George W. Bush administration following the September 11 attacks. the move has sparked concern from legal scholars, lawmakers on both sides of the aisle, adn human rights organizations.
The strikes, details of which remain limited, are occurring alongside reported authorization of covert action potentially aimed at ousting Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. This escalation in US policy towards Venezuela comes as tensions with the Maduro regime remain high, and follows previous accusations of the Venezuelan government’s complicity with drug trafficking organizations.
Human Rights Watch Americas director Juanita Goebertus Estrada condemned the strikes, stating they violated international human rights law and amounted to extrajudicial executions. “The US is not engaged in an armed conflict with Venezuela, Trinidad and Tobago, or with alleged criminal groups involved.Under human rights law standards, officials engaging in law enforcement must seek to minimize injury and preserve human life.They may use lethal force only when strictly unavoidable to protect against an imminent threat of death or serious injury,” she said.
The administration’s justification for the strikes relies on a broad interpretation of existing authorities, raising questions about the limits of presidential power and international law. Some Republicans on Capitol Hill have expressed concern over a lack of sufficient information regarding the operation’s conduct.
This is not the first instance of President Trump employing strong language in diplomatic contexts. In June, following clashes between Israel and Iran after a ceasefire, he reportedly told reporters the countries had “been fighting so long and so hard that they don’t know what the fuck they’re doing.”
