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Trump's Military Operation Against Maduro Raises Legal Concerns

1/7/2026

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Summary

Story summary

The Justice Department's Office of Legal Counsel issued a memo stating U.S. President Donald Trump lawfully ordered a military operation to seize Nicolás Maduro.
Attorney General Pam Bondi told Congress the memo would be shared.
Legal experts say the operation likely violated international law, citing the U.N. Charter's ban on force without consent or Security Council approval.
The episode echoes a 1989 memo justifying a similar action in Panama.

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Story summary

The Justice Department's Office of Legal Counsel issued a memo stating U.S. President Donald Trump lawfully ordered a military operation to seize Nicolás Maduro.
Attorney General Pam Bondi told Congress the memo would be shared.
Legal experts say the operation likely violated international law, citing the U.N. Charter's ban on force without consent or Security Council approval.
The episode echoes a 1989 memo justifying a similar action in Panama.