Republican Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul said Tuesday that the Trump administration’s strikes on alleged drug boats is bringing the United
Republican Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul said Tuesday that the Trump administration’s strikes on alleged drug boats is bringing the United States closer to war with Venezuela.
Paul, a leading critic of foreign intervention, has sharply criticized Trump’s continued strikes on alleged drug traffickers and warned the president against pursuing regime change. Trump declared Venezuelan air space to be closed over the weekend, ratcheting up his pressure campaign against dictator Nicolás Maduro, whom the White House views as an illegitimate leader.
“I think most of this is a prelude to war with Venezuela. All of this is a lead up,” Paul told reporters in the Capitol.
“I hope it’s not a prelude to war, but I feel like they’re building up towards war,” the senator continued. “Hopefully this second bombing of survivors … which is clearly illegal, hopefully there’ll be enough of an uproar over this, that will slow down the drumbeats.”
His comments on Tuesday came in response to Sept. 2 strikes on an alleged drug vessel in the Caribbean Sea, which sparked outrage over concerns that a follow-up strike on two survivors violated the laws of war.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said Monday that Admiral Frank Bradley ordered the strikes, but acted within his authority to eliminate the alleged drug traffickers.
