Trump faces Venezuelan dilemma as Maduro stands firm amid growing controversy over possible 'war crime'

President Donald Trumps push to influence Venezuela is increasingly at risk of becoming a complex political, strategic, and legal quagmire. On Monday evening, he convened top national security advisors and aides in the Oval Office to discuss the next steps in a situation that is slipping from his control both in Washington and within the struggling oil-rich nation.

Before the meeting, Venezuelan President Nicols Maduro staged a large rally in Caracas, dismissing earlier reports that he might step down under US pressure. Speaking to a crowd of supporters, Maduro declared, We do not want peace of slaves, nor do we want peace of colonies.

Domestically, the Trump administrations position is weakening amid controversy over a US strike that reportedly killed survivors of a suspected drug-trafficking vessel in the Caribbean. Democratic lawmakers are warning of potential war crimes, while some Republicans are signaling willingness to investigate the administrations actions.

The US confrontation with Venezuela has consumed Washington after months of escalating political, economic, and military pressure, highlighted by the deployment of the USS Gerald R. Ford and a fleet of accompanying ships off Venezuelas coast. Attention is intensifying on Defense Secretary Pete Hegseths role in these operations. His limited experience, controversial reputation, and unconventional approach to military protocols have made him a potential political liability as calls for his resignation grow louder.

Maduros defiance is placing Trump and top officials, including Hegseth, Joint Chiefs Chairman Dan Caine, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, in a difficult strategic position. Despite Trumps threats of imminent attacks on drug cartel targets and closure of Venezuelan airspace, Maduro has remained firmly in place. The president now faces the challenge of maintaining credibility without committing to military action that could entangle the US in conflict abroad.

The Trump administration had hoped that military pressure might force Maduro into exile or prompt a coup from within his inner circle. Despite recent communications between Trump and Maduro, the Venezuelan leader remains unshaken. Opposition figures have confirmed that the US previously offered Maduro opportunities to leave, which he rejected.

Maduros continued resistance tests Trumps willingness to act decisively. Analysts suggest that US pressure short of a full-scale military intervention may be insufficient to destabilize Maduros regime, which has proven resilient over decades. The risk remains that aggressive measures could backfire, consolidating Maduros support and creating political chaos.

The administrations options are further complicated by legal and ethical concerns over past strikes. A controversial September 2 attack on a Caribbean vessel has raised questions about potential violations of US and international law, including the laws of war. Initially dismissed by Hegseth, the incident has drawn bipartisan scrutiny, with lawmakers calling for hearings to clarify who authorized lethal actions against potential survivors.

Trumps team has emphasized their belief in legal authority for attacks on vessels linked to drug trafficking. However, legal experts have criticized the administrations approach, and the White House has not publicly disclosed the classified legal justification underpinning the strikes. Some lawmakers have expressed alarm over possible breaches of the law, suggesting that accountability may be required for the administrations actions.

Overall responsibility for US operations in Venezuela rests with the president, leaving Trump enmeshed in a situation with few clear solutions. Any military or political misstep could have long-term repercussions for his credibility, influence, and foreign policy legacy.

Author: Sophia Brooks