US Expands Military Strikes off Venezuela, Sparking Russian Condemnation, Legal Concerns

American forces have carried out another strike on a vessel allegedly transporting illegal drugs off Venezuela’s coast, the latest escalation in what President Donald Trump calls a “war on cartel terrorists.”

Speaking aboard the USS Harry S. Truman in Norfolk on Sunday, Trump said the Navy had “blown the cartel terrorists the hell out of the water,” confirming a new operation on Saturday night.

“They’re not coming in by sea anymore,” Trump said. “So now we’ll have to start looking about the land because they’ll be forced to go by land.”

The remark appeared to hint at possible US military operations inside Venezuelan territory, heightening fears of further confrontation in the Caribbean.

Russia warns of escalation

Russia swiftly condemned the strikes, which reportedly killed four people on Friday, calling them “escalating actions in the Caribbean Sea that are fraught with far-reaching consequences.”

In a call with Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yvan Gil, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov expressed “full support and solidarity” with Venezuela’s government and people.

Moscow’s statement underscored growing concern that Washington’s actions could destabilise the entire region.

Pentagon defends legal grounds

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told Fox News that he had “every authorisation needed” to continue the operations, though he provided no details.

On X, Hegseth said the targeted vessel carried “substantial amounts of narcotics – headed to America to poison our people,” adding that “these strikes will continue until the attacks on the American people are over.”

A short video shared by Hegseth showed the moment a projectile barrage destroyed a moving boat, though no independent verification of the footage or the US claims has been made.

War on cartels or unlawful force?

The strike marks at least the fourth or fifth such US operation in recent weeks, with more than 21 people killed.

Trump formally notified Congress that his administration now classifies drug cartels as “unlawful combatants,” effectively placing the US in a state of “non-international armed conflict” with them.

Legal experts, however, have raised alarm. They argue that using military force against alleged criminals in international waters bypasses due process and contravenes both US and international law.

Critics say the administration’s justification, citing terrorism designations and self-defence, dangerously expands executive war powers without congressional oversight.

Venezuela calls it provocation

Venezuelan Defence Minister Vladimir Padrino condemned the strikes as “a vulgarity, a provocation, a threat to the security of the nation,” echoing President Nicolas Maduro’s warning that Washington seeks regime change under the guise of anti-drug operations.

Despite the controversy, Trump insists the strategy is working.

“There’s no drugs coming into the water,” he said. “And we’ll look at what phase two is.”

For now, the Caribbean remains tense, a flashpoint where America’s “war on drugs” risks blurring into something far larger.