DEAR EDITOR:

The time has come again when I feel I must speak out against another potential American war, this time against Venezuela. In the latest escalation of tensions, President Trump has announced a closure of that country’s airspace. It is unclear if the American military will back up his words, but if they did, creating a no-fly zone over a sovereign nation is an act of aggression, if not an act of war.

This comes after nearly three months of U.S. bombings of civilian boats in international waters off the coast of Venezuela, which is certainly illegal and possibly a war crime. The Trump administration claims these boats are carrying fentanyl and other drugs, but have offered no evidence to the public. Even if it’s true, the culprits would be entitled to a trial, not summary execution from the sky. These acts violate the U.S. Constitution, due process, and congressional war powers.

Since the turn of the 21st century, I have seen this country repeatedly dragged into conflict, wasting lives and money on unwinnable wars, driven not by self-defense but by imperial hubris. From our wars on the ground in Iraq and Afghanistan to our military funding of Israel and Ukraine, under both Republican and Democratic governments, we continually act as the world’s police while neglecting to invest in people in our own country.

Often these wars are fought to enrich American corporations, Wall Street executives, and members of Congress with investments in the stock market. Whether it’s for oil, to test out the military’s new toys and create new orders for defense contractors, or simply for personal and political gain, war has many beneficiaries, but the majority of Americans are not among them. Additionally, these wars create instability in targeted countries, which only reinforces political extremism, drug trafficking, and forced migration.

In short, war with Venezuela is a lose-lose proposition in both the short and long term. Instead, Congress and the president should focus on solving problems for the American people, like the growing affordability crisis in housing, groceries, electronics, energy and health care.

WILLIAM HARNED

Niles