WASHINGTON (AP) — In less than two months, President Donald Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirm that the U.S. military has killed 32 individuals in seven strikes against drug smuggling vessels in the Caribbean Sea. Trump has defended these strikes as a vital escalation necessary to combat the influx of narcotics into the United States and has described the U.S. as being in an 'armed conflict' with drug cartels, invoking legal precedents akin to those utilized during the war on terror post-911.

As operations increased, concerns have surfaced within Congress regarding the limitations placed on presidential power. Many lawmakers have raised objections to the legitimacy of these military actions, noting that they were undertaken without formal legal investigations or congressional declarations of war. Questions have been asked regarding the evidentiary basis for the lethal attacks on unidentified targets linked with this military campaign.

The ongoing military buildup off the coast of South America has intensified worries of a possible invasion of Venezuela, a country already fraught with political strife. Speculation circulates about the potential for Trump to pursue efforts to unseat Venezuela’s President Nicolás Maduro, who is currently facing significant drug-related charges in the U.S.

Here’s a timeline outlining the military’s actions and the increasing scrutiny from lawmakers:

Timeline of Events

Jan. 20

Trump signs an executive order naming criminal organizations, including Tren de Aragua, as foreign terrorist entities on his first day back in office.

Feb. 20

The Trump administration officially designates eight Latin American crime syndicates as foreign terrorist organizations, a classification typically reserved for groups like al-Qaida.

Aug. 19

U.S. military resources comprise a naval force deployment aimed at countering threats from drug cartels in Latin America, including three Aegis destroyers and additional amphibious assault ships.

Sept. 2

Initial airstrike carried out against a vessel allegedly transporting drugs from Venezuela. Trump reported 11 casualties following the attack.

Sept. 10

Sen. Tim Kaine and other Democratic senators challenge the Trump administration’s legal justifications for military strikes.

Sept. 19 to Oct. 20

Subsequent strikes result in additional fatalities, while congressional calls for greater oversight of military actions echo through the legislative chambers.

The discourse surrounding these operations illustrates a critical juncture in U.S. foreign policy, illuminating tensions at the intersection of drug enforcement and military engagement.