Venezuela announced on Nov. 11 a nationwide military deployment in response to the increased presence of U.S. naval forces off its coast. Recently, the U.S. has carried out several military strikes against alleged drug trafficking boats, which the Trump administration claims are being sent to the U.S. from Venezuela and, by extension, its leader, Nicolas Maduro.

Maduro is not recognized as a democratically elected leader by the United States, Brazil, Mexico, Colombia, and multiple other countries. Human Rights Watch has also emphasized the human rights abuses and electoral fraud present under Maduro.

In addition to social and political concerns, the country’s economy is not well-managed under Maduro. Over the course of 20 years, Venezuela ran a high deficit as the economy boomed rather than saving money. Additionally, the mass printing and distribution of currency led to massive inflation. Combined with mismanagement of the oil industry- an industry that could have provided significant financial benefit to the country- Venezuela was left with an enormous amount of debt. Despite U.S. efforts to lift sanctions on Venezuela under the condition that fair elections would be held, this has failed to materialize. Maduro continues to hold onto power and engage in corruption.

At the same time, many legal experts question the legality and veracity of the U.S. strikes on the alleged drug boats from Venezuela. Article 51 of the U.N. Charter recognizes a country’s right to self-defense following an “armed attack” against another country or non-state groups. 

Legal scholar Jack Goldsmith is an expert who has pointed out the illegality of one recent strike in particular. “There can be no conceivable legal justification for what the Washington Post reported earlier today: That U.S. Special Operations Forces killed the survivors of a first strike on a drug boat off the coast of Trinidad who, in the Post’s words, ‘were clinging to the smoldering wreck.’”

Goldsmith cites several legal codes and regulations, including the U.S. Department of Defense manual, the Hague Regulations of 1907, and the 1863 Lieber Code. Essentially, an intentional additional infliction of wounds or killing of an enemy that is already disabled is not legal.

The Trump administration claims the strikes are acts of self-defense against “narco terrorism.” However, drug cartels have historically not been designated as terrorist organizations. Even though the executive branch has the power of the sword, it is ultimately Congress that has the power to declare war.

A bipartisan effort to enforce oversight on the nature of the strikes is growing within the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives. Senators Roger Wicker R-MS and Jack Reed D-RI as well as representatives Mike Rogers R-AL and Adam Smith D-WA want to take a full account of the orders and strikes issued. Senator Rand Paul R-KY also expressed concern over killing people without due process. There is concern that a secondary strike on an alleged drug boat is a war crime.

Ideally, there should be full disclosure over the controversial strikes and a presentation of evidence that the alleged drug boats are, in fact, drug boats. Even then, there are laws already in place that attempt to combat drug trafficking. For example, the Maritime Drug Law Enforcement Act gives the U.S. Coast Guard the authority to board vessels, even those not registered with the United States, that are suspected of carrying illegal drugs.

It should also be noted that while Venezuela is a source of drug trafficking, it is not a primary contributor. The U.S. State Department’s 2025 International Narcotics Strategy Control Report found that Mexico, not Venezuela, is a primary source of fentanyl. Additionally, a 2020 report from the Drug Enforcement Administration stated that only about 8 % of U.S.-bound cocaine came from Venezuela. The report concluded that 74 % came from the Eastern Pacific vector, where Colombia and Ecuador are located.

If the Trump Administration is concerned about drug trafficking, why prioritize an area that is not the primary contributor to drug trafficking? Why pardon the former Honduran President who was convicted of trafficking drugs into the U.S.? According to Venezuelan Political Scientist Carlos Pina, the U.S. wants to apply enough pressure on Maduro so that he will resign and hand over power peacefully.

Despite the United States recent strikes, several factors limit the conflict’s potential for further escalation. First, any prospective war with Venezuela is not popular with the American public. Recent YouGov Polls show 62 % of respondents opposed U.S. military action in Venezuela.

Secondly, other non-violent solutions can both de-escalate the conflict and influence regime change. Increasing and maintaining sanctions on Venezuela is one option that could put a vice grip on Maduro’s already unpopular presidency. The U.S. can also support pro-democracy efforts for opposition leaders Maria Corina Machado and Edmundo Gonzalez. Finally, Maduro could peacefully resign and recognize the legitimate opposition leadership.