President Donald Trump is considering military action against drug cartels in Venezuela and other South American countries, according to Senator Lindsey Graham from South Carolina. During an appearance on CBS’ “Face The Nation,” Graham expressed support for Trump’s idea of land strikes, following recent U.S. military operations that destroyed drug boats and submarines in the Caribbean and Pacific.
Graham pointed out that Trump views Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro as a drug trafficker who should be removed from power. He believes that Venezuela and Colombia have long been safe havens for drug-related crime. Graham stated, “I support that idea, but I think he has all the authority he needs” to act without needing Congress’s approval.
The senator referenced past military operations by former presidents George H.W. Bush and Ronald Reagan as legal precedents for unilateral military action. He noted that Bush’s intervention in Panama and Reagan’s operation in Grenada set a foundation for current actions against drug cartels. Graham emphasized that these operations are not about violence but about protecting Americans from the dangers posed by narcotics.
Graham’s comments come shortly after the announcement that the U.S.S. Gerald Ford aircraft carrier group will be deployed to the Caribbean. This move underscores the seriousness of the U.S. government’s efforts to combat drug trafficking and related terrorism that affects the nation. Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell highlighted that the carrier group will enhance the U.S. capability to monitor and disrupt illicit activities threatening American safety.
Trump is expected to provide Congress with updates on potential military operations when he returns from his trip to Asia later this week. The situation continues to develop as the administration considers its next steps in addressing the ongoing drug crisis.
