1. United States
2. Colo.
3. Letter

The Constitution grants Congress the sole power to declare war. Congress has declared war on 11 occasions, including its first declaration of war with Great Britain in 1812. Congress approved its last formal declaration of war during World War II. Since that time it has agreed to resolutions authorizing the use of military force and continues to shape U.S. military policy through appropriations and oversight. A naval blockade is generally considered an act of war under international law, as it involves using military force to stop all maritime commerce to/from an enemy, potentially harming civilians and requiring effective military enforcement, though it's regulated by specific rules within armed conflicts. While distinct from an embargo a blockade crosses the line into active conflict by enforcing closure through force, as seen in historical examples like the US Civil War or modern conflicts.  Key aspects of blockades in warfare: • Act of War: A blockade is a hostile act, closing enemy ports to all ships (neutral or enemy) to cripple their economy, making it inherently part of an armed conflict. • Requires Force: It must be "effective," meaning maintained by sufficient naval power to prevent access, making it a direct use of military force. • Distinction from Embargo: An embargo is a political/economic sanction, whereas a blockade uses military force at sea, making it an act of war. • International Law: Its legality is governed by laws of war (like the 1909 London Declaration, requiring declaration, defined limits, and effectiveness, and it's illegal if used to starve civilians. • Examples: The US blockade of the Confederacy during the Civil War and Russia's actions against Ukrainian ports in the ongoing conflict are examples, often leading to situations considered acts of war.  Our President goes on his Social Media platform and says: Venezuela is completely surrounded by the largest Armada ever assembled in the History of South America. It will only get bigger, and the shock to them will be like nothing they have ever seen before - Until such time as they return to the United States of America all of the Oil, Land, and other Assets that they previously stole from us. The illegitimate Maduro Regime is using Oil from these stolen Oil Fields to finance themselves, Drug Terrorism, Human Trafficking, Murder, and Kidnapping. For the theft of our Assets, and many other reasons, including Terrorism, Drug Smuggling, and Human Trafficking, the Venezuelan Regime has been designated a FOREIGN TERRORIST ORGANIZATION. Therefore, today, I am ordering A TOTAL AND COMPLETE BLOCKADE OF ALL SANCTIONED OIL TANKERS going into, and out of, Venezuela. The Illegal Aliens and Criminals. Stop these illegal orders and actions and make Congress do their job again, before we’re involved in another war. Venezuela hasn’t stolen any oil from us, so what is Trump speaking of? Please don’t allow this administration to keep doing whatever they decide without the oversight of Congress.