US Lawyers Give Green Light to Maduro's Removal
In a surprising move, lawyers from the Trump administration gave the go-ahead for a military operation to remove Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro from power. This decision was made just days before the operation took place. The lawyers argued that the action would not be considered a full-scale war and would serve important national interests.
Legal Justification
The legal opinion, released this week, shows how the administration justified the operation. It was prepared by the Justice Department’s Office of Legal Counsel and addressed the question of whether President Donald Trump could order the military to help law enforcement remove Maduro for criminal prosecution in the United States.
The opinion concluded that yes, the president could do so. It cited several reasons, including:
- Serious allegations against Maduro, such as drug trafficking and other dangerous activities.
- The need for military force to protect civilians.
- The possibility of armed resistance.
Risks and Limitations
The opinion acknowledged risks but judged that the operation would not lead to a full-blown war requiring congressional approval. It also stated that the president's authorization does not make every use of force lawful. The personnel involved must carry out the order reasonably.
Political Reactions
Republican leaders claimed they were not informed about the raid to seize Maduro and his wife. Despite pressure from Trump, Senate Republicans voted to dismiss a resolution that would have limited his ability to conduct further attacks against Venezuela.
