The Donald Trump administration stated that strikes on suspicious vessels in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific do not require congressional authorization, The Wall Street Journal reported, citing a senior White House official.

According to him, counter-narcotics operations do not fall under the War Powers Resolution of 1973, since they do not reach the level of full-scale combat operations.

"The United States can continue to combat drug trafficking in the Caribbean and the Eastern Pacific, as this does not reach the level of actions called for in the War Powers Resolution," — noted the administration representative.

He emphasized that the attacks are carried out at a significant distance from American ships, eliminating any risk to US military personnel. Since September, the Pentagon has carried out at least 15 strikes, destroying dozens of vessels and killing approximately 64 people, whom Washington labels drug traffickers.

Meanwhile, Republicans and Democrats in Congress expressed frustration at the lack of detailed briefings and evidence of the targets' involvement in smuggling. The Senate previously rejected a resolution requiring the White House to obtain approval for further strikes. Critics fear the campaign is masking pressure on Venezuela and could escalate into ground operations.