Former Rep. Adam Kinzinger Questions Military Actions Against Venezuela

On Wednesday, former Representative Adam Kinzinger (R-Ill.) expressed his bewilderment over the Trump administration’s decision to target Venezuelan fishing boats with military actions. He pointed out the extensive drug trade originating from other countries, particularly Mexico.

“Why focus on Venezuela?” Kinzinger questioned during an interview with CNN’s Anderson Cooper. “It’s never struck me, perhaps naively, that Venezuela is a primary source of drug issues for the United States. I find that quite intriguing.”

President Trump has approved five military strikes against speedboats believed to be transporting drugs off the Venezuelan coast. These operations began on September 2, with the administration’s claims lacking supporting evidence, and resulting in about 27 fatalities.

Additionally, the president confirmed that he had authorized CIA actions against Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro, heightening tensions further.

Trump justified his stance by referencing concerns over illegal immigration and the smuggling of fentanyl. The Venezuelan government has protested these actions, with Maduro recently stating that all communication between the U.S. and Venezuela has been “cut off.”

Nonetheless, the White House has not showcased any proof that the targeted vessels were actually carrying drugs. Recent efforts by Senate Republicans to block a proposed halt to these strikes, backed by Democrats, came to a standstill.

Kinzinger, who has military experience and served on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, suggested that the government might gain more public and congressional support if they could confirm significant drug quantities on the boats. Critics within the Republican Party highlighted that cocaine, rather than fentanyl, is the predominant illegal substance trafficked through Venezuela into the U.S.

According to the Drug Enforcement Administration, the 2025 Threat Assessment Report indicates that Colombia stands as a major supplier of cocaine entering the U.S. The report also mentions a minor drug trafficking operation linked to the Venezuelan transnational criminal group Torren de Aragua.

Kinzinger remarked, “It’s interesting how we seem to have declared war on fentanyl, which is undeniably dangerous. However, there’s not much fentanyl coming from Venezuela. Most of the illegal drugs they deal with are cocaine, which people still choose to buy, illegal as it may be.”