U.S. Faces Legal and Political Challenges Over Potential Strikes in Venezuela

By Solange Reyner | Thursday, 06 November 2025 03:01 PM EST

Trump administration officials told lawmakers during a classified briefing that the U.S. lacks legal grounds to justify strikes inside Venezuela, according to CNN. The session included Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, and a White House Office of Legal Counsel representative.

Lawmakers were informed that a Justice Department Office of Legal Counsel opinion from last month, which had previously justified strikes on suspected drug-smuggling vessels, does not extend to operations within Venezuela. The administration is now seeking a separate legal review to authorize land-based strikes without congressional approval.

Since September 2, the U.S. has conducted 16 airstrikes targeting alleged drug-trafficking vessels in the Caribbean Sea and eastern Pacific. A Miami Herald report last week suggested the U.S. was preparing to strike military targets inside Venezuela linked to the Soles drug cartel, though President Donald Trump denied the claim.

In recent weeks, however, Trump has indicated plans to expand operations against drug-related targets within Venezuela. “The land is going to be next,” he stated in mid-October.

A bipartisan group of senators introduced a resolution on Thursday aimed at halting U.S. military actions in or against Venezuela unless explicitly authorized by Congress. The measure, backed by 15 co-sponsors including Democrats Tim Kaine and Adam Schiff and Republican Rand Paul, is set for a vote at 5 p.m.

Kaine emphasized that Congress should not relinquish its constitutional authority to the executive branch. “If colleagues believe a war against narco-traffickers in the ocean or Venezuela is justified, they must present an authorization of military force for debate,” he said.

The White House defended the administration’s actions, stating President Trump was elected to combat cartels and stop narcoterrorism. “All actions comply fully with the law of armed conflict,” a press office statement read.