Boat strikes, warships and Venezuela rhetoric raise questions about Trump’s goals
September 25, 2025
President Donald Trump has sent American warships to the waters off Venezuela and has boasted about strikes on alleged drug boats. He claims Venezuela will face severe consequences if it doesn’t accept more deportees from the U.S. The naval buildup has sparked fears of invasion and speculation about Trump’s intentions toward Venezuela’s president, Nicolás Maduro. Experts say, however, that the flotilla isn’t large enough for a land offensive. Lawmakers and rights groups have raised questions about the legality of using military force against alleged drug traffickers. The Trump administration claims self-defense as justification, but further actions could face objections in Congress.