The U.S. military utilized a plane disguised as a civilian aircraft when targeting a drug-smuggling boat near Venezuela’s coast. This action, carried out by a secretive U.S. surveillance fleet, raised concerns as it deviated from military norms, including carrying munitions internally instead of externally. The plane’s camouflage details, revealed in a recent report by the New York Times and substantiated by anonymous sources, have sparked debate on adherence to military protocols.
In response to these revelations, Pentagon press secretary Kingsley Wilson emphasized the military’s use of various aircraft based on mission requirements. These findings surfaced amidst escalating tensions between the Trump administration and Venezuela, culminating in a high-profile raid that led to the capture of Nicolás Maduro, who now faces drug trafficking charges.
The U.S. Senate is set to vote on a war powers resolution this week to restrict future military actions in Venezuela without congressional approval. President Trump’s strong reactions to potential constraints on his war powers have led to intense lobbying efforts among senators.
While the Trump administration justifies its boat strikes as part of combatting drug cartels, military guidelines prohibit disguising troops as civilians during warfare. This practice, known as “perfidy,” is forbidden under U.S. Defense Department and Air Force manuals due to the risks it poses to civilians and enemy combatants.
The controversial strikes have prompted calls for accountability from Congress, with demands for transparency regarding the legality and ethical implications of the operations. Legal experts caution that certain actions, such as targeting survivors of initial strikes, may violate laws of war. Lawmakers have urged the release of unedited operation videos, a request that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has declined.
In a separate development, senators were briefed on the classified legal justifications behind Maduro’s ouster, with concerns raised over the transparency and legality of the military intervention in Venezuela. Both Republican and Democratic senators have expressed skepticism over the operation’s legal basis and the administration’s long-term plans for the country.
