President Donald Trump said the United States could expand military action against Venezuelan drug smugglers onto land after nine maritime strikes that killed at least 37 drug traffickers.
Trump signalled he may brief Congress but not seek a formal war declaration, while denying reports of B-1 bombers flying near Venezuelan territory.
From sea strikes to land operations
Trump said “the land is going to be next,” framing boat strikes in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific as a model for targeting cartel members inside countries such as Venezuela.
He argued the campaign is aimed at people “bringing drugs into our country,” and suggested lawmakers would not oppose anti-drug policy.
Authority, oversight and legal ambiguity
Asked about approval from Congress, Trump said he did not plan to seek a declaration of war.
The stance sharpened questions already raised by critics over the legal basis for using military force abroad without congress approval.
Moreover, he said he would notify Congress before any land operations, but insisted pushback was unlikely.
Casualties, survivors and wartime framing
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has described traffickers as “terrorists,” comparing the fight to past US wars against terrorism.
Officials say nine strikes since September killed 37 drug traffickers.
Two survivors from a recent military strikes were treated by American medics which Hegseth called ‘standard practice’.
Reports of B-1 bombers flew over Venezuelan territory
Trump rejected a report that US B-1 bombers flew near Venezuela. Furthermore, open source trackers showed a bomber operating within the country’s flight information region.
Tensions rose after US warships deployed for counter-drug missions. Whereas, President Nicolás Maduro claimed thousands of Russian Igla-S missiles were placed in key positions.
Political backlash and regional risks
Democrats and some Trump allies warned the campaign could mask regime change aims and escalate into conflict, citing the Knesset style cautionary tales of past interventions.
Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio backed pressure on cartels but acknowledged annexation like moves or wider war talk would undercut the Gaza ceasefire effort.
