After boats, now land strikes? Trump says can hit drug traffickers without Congress war declaration

U.S. President Donald Trump denied reports that the United States flew B‑1 Lancer bombers near Venezuela to increase military pressure, calling the claim “false.” During a media interaction at the White House, Trump told reporters he was “very unhappy with Venezuela” but confirmed there was no immediate escalation involving bomber flights. The Wall Street Journal report earlier cited flight‑tracking data and U.S. officials indicating that two B‑1 bombers flew close to Venezuela while remaining in international airspace. Trump, however, reiterated that Washington’s focus remains on combating drug cartels linked to Venezuela and said a formal declaration of war is unnecessary. “We’re just going to kill people bringing drugs into our country,” Trump stated. The comments come amid rising regional tensions following recent U.S. strikes on alleged narco‑boats and covert CIA operations targeting Maduro’s regime.