The U.S. Department of Justice's Office of Legal Counsel has indicated that President Donald Trump possessed the legal authority to initiate military operations targeting Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. Although the specifics of the memo supporting this assertion remain undisclosed, Attorney General Pam Bondi has committed to sharing it with Congress. Reports suggest that this military action resulted in the deaths of at least 80 individuals, including both military personnel and civilians, prompting concerns about compliance with international law.

Legal experts have expressed skepticism regarding the operation's adherence to the United Nations Charter, which prohibits the use of force within another nation's territory without consent or a valid justification such as self-defense or U.N. Security Council authorization. This situation mirrors historical instances, such as the 1989 U.S. invasion of Panama, where legal justifications for military action were similarly contentious. During that event, a memo from the Office of Legal Counsel claimed that President George H.W. Bush had the constitutional authority to bypass international law to capture foreign criminal suspects.

The broader implications of U.S. foreign policy, particularly under the Trump administration, have been analyzed through the lens of 'neo-royalism,' a concept introduced by political scientist Abe Newman. This framework suggests a shift from traditional state-centric international relations to a model where elite groups, rather than nations, dictate policy decisions. Analysts argue that this trend, observable in various countries, could lead to increased violence and instability on the global stage.

As the U.S. continues to exert its military influence, the erosion of established international norms raises critical questions about the future of global governance and the potential for conflict. The need for both domestic and international responses to counteract these developments is underscored, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a rules-based international system to mitigate coercion and violence.