In an interview with Valor Econômico, Inter-American Dialogue president and CEO Rebecca Bill Chavez warned that U.S. military operations in Venezuelan territorial waters could violate international law without Caracas’s consent or a credible claim of self-defense. She cautioned that any escalation toward direct intervention would have “devastating” consequences and noted that even current actions raise serious legal and constitutional concerns in both domestic and international arenas.
Comments from Chavez:
“Under international law, unless Washington has Venezuela’s consent or can credibly claim imminent self-defense under the UN Charter, the use of force in Venezuelan territorial waters or on Venezuelan soil would be considered unlawful. If we were to move from maritime actions to attacks on land, it would deepen legal concerns at both the domestic and international levels.”
“It’s more likely we’ll see a hybrid combination of tools than an overt military campaign. But even what’s happening now raises serious legal questions.”
“Trump’s actions are also already facing objections in Congress itself, with lawmakers, including some Republicans, trying to block the operations using the ‘War Powers Resolution,’ which requires legislative authorization for prolonged military action.”
“This law dates back to 1973, after the Vietnam War, and reflects concerns about the rise of what in Latin America we would call ultra-presidentialism—the excessive accumulation of power in the executive branch. According to it, Congress has a role, and Trump didn’t consider that.”
“A direct intervention in Venezuelan territory with the intention of deposing Maduro would have devastating consequences. The current scenario is completely different from the intervention in Panama, which deposed Manuel Noriega in 1989.”
“In Venezuela, in addition to Maduro’s militias, there are other armed groups that will resist any kind of military intervention.”
