Sen. Lindsey Graham Warns Potential US Land Strikes Venezuela Amid Narco-Terrorism Tensions

U.S. Republican Senator Lindsey Graham has indicated that President Trump may authorize land strikes in Venezuela and Colombia, expanding current U.S. military actions against drug trafficking operations from sea to land. This follows a series of airstrikes targeting vessels accused of smuggling drugs, which have resulted in over 40 deaths since early September. President Trump and the administration assert these strikes are necessary to protect the U.S. from narcoterrorists and drug cartels, with Trump specifically targeting Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, who is indicted on drug trafficking charges. Graham supports the president's authority to conduct these operations without congressional approval and plans to brief Congress upon Trump's return from Asia. However, these actions have drawn criticism from lawmakers and international leaders, who question their legality and effectiveness, with some labeling the strikes as "murder." Despite dissent within both parties, Graham remains firm that military force is justified to prevent drug trafficking and threatens that Maduro should leave Venezuela to avoid escalating conflict.