U.S. Military Actions Intensify in Latin America Amid Venezuela Tensions

U.S. military actions in Latin America are intensifying amid ongoing tensions with Venezuela. According to CBS News, the Senate recently blocked a bipartisan war powers resolution aimed at preventing President Trump from conducting military strikes against Venezuela.

This resolution, led by Democratic Senator Tim Kaine, sought to require congressional authorization for any military actions within or against Venezuela, but it failed with a 49 to 51 vote. Only two Republicans, Senators Rand Paul and Lisa Murkowski, supported the measure alongside all 47 Democrats.

Kaine emphasized that Congress should not cede its war-making powers to the executive branch without debate. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced that the U.S. military has conducted at least 17 strikes against alleged drug-trafficking boats in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific since early September, which have resulted in the deaths of at least 70 individuals, according to NBC News.

Trump has indicated that he will not seek congressional approval for these strikes, stating, 'We’re just gonna kill people that are bringing drugs into our country.' Hegseth confirmed that another strike occurred just hours after the Senate vote, bringing the death toll from these military operations to at least 70.

The strikes have raised concerns about their legality and the potential for escalation into broader conflict. Critics, including Senator Mark Warner, have questioned the intelligence used to justify these strikes, highlighting a lack of transparency from the administration regarding its operations in the region.

The Hill reports that the military buildup includes significant forces in the Southern Command region, comprising warships, fighter jets, and at least one nuclear-powered submarine, all part of the U.S.'s campaign against drug trafficking and support for regime change in Venezuela.

Additionally, the U.S. has conducted shows of force over Venezuela, further escalating tensions. The Guardian highlights that these military actions have been described by some experts as extrajudicial killings, even though they target known traffickers.

Families of those killed have reported that many of the victims were civilians, primarily fishermen. Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has condemned U.S. actions, accusing Trump of attempting to oust him.

The Trump administration has referred to Latin American drug cartels as terrorist organizations to justify its military campaign, as noted by The Guardian. The situation continues to evolve, with U.S. forces poised for potential further military actions in the region as the administration seeks to address both drug trafficking and political instability in Venezuela.