United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk holds a press conference in Colombo, Sri Lanka, June 26, 2025. (Krishan Kariyawasam/Getty)
Last week, Volker Türk, the United Nations commissioner for human rights, blasted those strikes.
"Based on the very sparse information provided publicly by the U.S. authorities, none of the individuals on the targeted boats appear to pose an imminent threat to the lives of others or otherwise justified the use of lethal armed force against them under international law," Türk said.
But even if the strikes do violate international law, some U.S. lawmakers don’t believe that should stop the president.
Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, who sits on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, argued the U.S. must prioritize its own security.
"We’re not going to subject our sovereignty to international bodies. We’re going to make our decision — what’s in the best interest for the United States," Cornyn said.
"[International law] is more of a convention. Extraordinary circumstances call for extraordinary measures," he added.
TRUMP TOUTS ANOTHER US STRIKE NEAR VENEZUELA THAT KILLED SIX ALLEGED DRUG SMUGGLERS
Rep. Gregory Meeks listens during a roundtable discussion with the House Foreign Affairs Committee in Washington, Feb. 12, 2025. (Kayla Bartkowski/Getty)
The Trump administration earlier this year designated several drug cartels operating in and out of Venezuela as terrorist organizations. In the public-facing information about its most recent strike, U.S. War Secretary Pete Hegseth identified the targets as fitting under that designation.
"This vessel — like EVERY OTHER — was known by our intelligence to be involved in illicit narcotics smuggling, was transiting along a known narco-trafficking route, and carrying narcotics. Three male narco-terrorists were aboard the vessel during the strike, which was conducted in international waters," Hegseth said in a post to X.
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The U.S. has launched at least 15 such strikes.
In order to assist with the strikes, the president has repositioned one of the country’s aircraft carriers, the USS Gerald R. Ford, closer to Venezuela. Despite the mobilization, Trump told CBS’ "60 Minutes" he does not anticipate a war with Venezuela.
Leo Briceno is a politics reporter for the congressional team at Fox News Digital. He was previously a reporter with World Magazine.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/gop-lawmakers-rally-behind-trumps-venezuela-strikes-critics-question-legality