With Washington claiming legal justification for deadly attacks on alleged Venezuelan drug runners in the Caribbean, one hot question is whether something bigger against President Nicolas Maduro is afoot.

The United States is in "armed conflict" with drug cartels, President Donald Trump said last week in a letter to Congress, asserting legal authority for at least four strikes in international waters that have killed at least 21 people in recent weeks.

Both Democratic and Republican lawmakers, however, still question the legality of the strikes.

CNN on Tuesday also reported on the existence of a Justice Department memo, citing people familiar with the matter, that says Trump has legal authority to order deadly force against drug cartels, claiming they pose imminent threats to Americans.

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