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Law Prof. David Cole on the Illegality of U.S. Attack on Venezuela

2026-01-05 News & Politics
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Support our work: https://democracynow.org/donate/sm-desc-yt Transcript: https://www.democracynow.org/2026/1/5/maduro_abduction_is_illegal_david_cole The Trump administration did not seek congressional authorization prior to attacking Venezuela, as is required by the Constitution. It also violated “probably the first principle of international law … that countries have to respect their neighbors, and they can’t simply invade a neighbor or any other sovereign nation because they don’t like the way they are running things there,” says law professor David Cole. The attack was clearly not a law enforcement operation, as the administration has claimed, but an “imperialist intervention,” says Cole, who notes President Trump’s comments on extracting oil from the region. Democracy Now! is an independent global news hour that airs on over 1,500 TV and radio stations Monday through Friday. Watch our livestream at democracynow.org Mondays to Fridays 8-9 a.m. ET. Subscribe to our Daily Email Digest: https://democracynow.org/subscribe

Top Comments (10)

@cu9721-u8t 2026-01-05

Murdered 80 + 115 boat strike deaths!

190 35 replies
@dakotakollar5257 2026-01-05

So dropping bombs is a law enforcement action???

66 19 replies
@johnsun2416 2026-01-05

I never see law enforcement operation that involve bombing the hell of civilian homes with military aircrafts.

60 7 replies
@SoOthersMayLiveandStuff 2026-01-05

NO. There’s no WAY that is legal. The PIGGY regime, is made up of murderers, and criminals.

39 5 replies
@RueStGo 2026-01-05

Just take a close look at Rubio when trump says they are taking the oil. Pure gem!

26
@FECADACIO 2026-01-05

Hello Ms Amy Happy New Year 🎉❤

23
@stevendaleschmitt 2026-01-05

LEGAL MEANS ARE USELESS AGAINST THE LAWLESS.

16
@leilaoksanen5142 2026-01-05

Thank you very much Prof. Cole.

13
@mountainhobbit1971 2026-01-05

if International Law/US Law actually mattered this world would be a much different place.

3
@TedD-y8e 2026-01-07

It’s refreshing to hear so many varying views of this event…the intellectual analysis is impressive.

1

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