Overview
- In an ABC News interview Sunday, the Kentucky senator called the Caribbean mission provocative and warned against drifting into war with Venezuela.
- He said he opposes confiscating liners or blowing up boats carrying unarmed people suspected of drug trafficking.
- He argued the administration’s approach to suspected traffickers is contradictory, citing the release of former Honduran president Juan Orlando Hernández.
- Recent reporting says U.S. forces have seized multiple Venezuelan oil tankers and that the Coast Guard is pursuing another vessel as operations continue.
- He also criticized recent U.S. strikes in Syria and distanced himself from Vice President JD Vance, signaling an effort to lead a free‑market wing of the GOP.