The U.S. has now launched three airstrikes against Venezuelan boats and continues to edge closer to war with Venezuela’s Maduro regime. The Trump administration claimed these boats were transporting drugs into America despite criticism for the lack of details provided. 

After the first attack claimed the lives of 11 alleged drug traffickers over international waters, it looks clearer than ever that President Trump has his trigger-happy sights on Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro.

Words and actions coming from our administration make it hard to avoid the notion that they enjoy toying with the idea of going to war. 

Tensions arose back in August when U.S. naval ships and thousands of troops were deployed in the Caribbean. 

In the coming weeks, the Trump administration characterized the Venezuelan leader as a “narco-terrorist”, put out a $50 million reward for information leading to his arrest and reiterated that the Venezuelan government is illegitimate. 

These are actions aimed at achieving regime change and resolving the unrest among the opposition. Indeed, both Nicolás Maduro and the Venezuelan military are undeniably tied to drug-trafficking and cartels; but the first attack, killing 11 alleged drug traffickers, without providing any proof of identity is an unprecedented stunt. 

With the U.S. Department of Defense’s name being changed to the Department of War, the edging of war with Venezuela and the arguably illegal use of force on international waters, the “president of peace” could not seem to care less about avoiding conflict. 

Find your congress representative’s contact here to let them know you voted for them to stand up against reckless warmongering. 

Tanner Smith is a columnist. Contact him at [email protected].