WASHINGTON : United States President Donald Trump has questioned the relevance of international law in guiding US foreign policy, saying only his “own morality” constrains the aggressive approach he is pursuing abroad, following a controversial US military operation in Venezuela.

In an interview with The New York Times on Thursday, Trump said he did not believe international law was a decisive factor in his decision-making. “I don’t need international law. I’m not looking to hurt people,” he said, adding that adherence to such law “depends what your definition of international law is.”

The remarks come after US forces carried out an early-morning military operation in Venezuela on Saturday, with explosions reported in the capital Caracas and at several military installations. During the operation, US troops seized Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and removed him from the country.

The action has drawn sharp criticism from legal experts and several governments, who say it constitutes a breach of the United Nations Charter, which prohibits the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of another state.

Trump has repeatedly signalled a willingness to use US military power to advance his foreign policy objectives, arguing that decisive action is necessary to protect American interests. Critics, however, warn that sidelining international law risks undermining global norms and escalating geopolitical tensions.

The White House has defended the operation as justified, while international debate continues over its legality and the broader implications for the rules-based global order.

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