On Saturday, President Donald Trump announced that the United States had executed a “large scale strike against Venezuela and its leader,” prompting reflections on a previously disclosed strategy aimed at combating the Venezuelan regime. Back in November, White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles articulated to Vanity Fair the administration’s focus on minimizing ground incursions in favor of targeting drug trafficking vessels associated with President Nicolás Maduro’s regime.
In a conversation with journalist Chris Whipple, Wiles emphasized that the administration intended to “keep on blowing boats up until Maduro cries uncle,” a stance supported by assertions from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. The strikes, which had resulted in at least 87 fatalities at that time, targeted what officials identified as suspected drug boats operating in the Caribbean Sea and eastern Pacific.
“The president believes in harsh penalties for drug dealers,” Wiles stated. “These are not fishing boats, as some would like to allege.” She asserted confidence in the operational capabilities of the CIA, mentioning potential measures within Venezuelan territorial waters to intercept drug traffickers evading capture by skirting the coastline.
When addressing the fatalities linked to these military actions, Wiles acknowledged the complexity of equating drug smuggling with capital punishment, framing the strikes as part of a broader “war on drugs” that distinguishes itself from previous initiatives.
Whipple noted that these actions represent a form of warfare initiated by presidential declaration without congressional approval. Wiles countered the necessity for congressional authorization by elaborating that the current strategy does not involve ground attacks on Venezuelan territory. She clarified the requirement for congressional consent would arise only if military actions were directed inland, although she indicated that figures such as Senators Marco Rubio and JD Vance were actively involved in congressional briefings regarding the approach.
This ongoing conflict highlights a pivotal moment in U.S. foreign policy regarding its stance on drug trafficking and relations with Venezuela, framing the military strategy as necessary in the fight against drug-related violence and crime. As this situation develops, it raises questions about the balance of power and the role of legislative oversight in military engagements.