<p>America’s relationship with Venezuela has long been shaped by power, politics, and law, often in uneasy combinations. This week, Elisa Poteat is joined by Brian Egan, partner at Skadden and former State Department Legal Adviser, to examine the legal foundations of U.S. engagement with Venezuela, from maritime interdictions and sanctions to questions of war powers and executive authority. Drawing on history, international law, and recent developments, they explore how past interventions continue to shape today’s national security decisions and what lawyers should be watching for next.</p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.skadden.com/Professionals/E/Egan-Brian">Brian Egan</a> is a Partner in National Security, CFIUS, and International Trade at Skadden</p><p><em>References:</em></p><ul><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://events.americanbar.org/event/dba939e3-d0ee-472c-8c29-751e10a92995/summary">EVENT: Join us for our upcoming luncheon, <em>Hostage Diplomacy and the Rule of Law: The Wrongful Detention of American Citizens</em>, on March 5 at the Army Navy Club in Washington, D.C</a>.</li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.incb.org/incb/en/precursors/1988-convention.html">UN Convention against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances, 1988</a></li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.un.org/depts/los/convention_agreements/texts/unclos/unclos_e.pdf">UN Convention on the Law of the Sea</a></li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?path=/prelim@title46/subtitle7/chapter705&amp;edition=prelim">The Maritime Drug Law Enforcement Act</a></li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.un.org/en/about-us/un-charter/full-text">UN Charter Full Text</a></li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-joint-resolution/98/text/is">S.J.Res.98 - A joint resolution to direct the removal of United States Armed Forces from hostilities within or against Venezuela that have not been authorized by Congress.</a></li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/93rd-congress/house-joint-resolution/542">The War Powers Resolution</a></li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/us-approves-possible-sale-equipment-services-shift-peruvian-naval-base-2026-01-16/">Reuters. “US Approves Possible Sale of Equipment, Services to Shift Peruvian Naval Base.” <em>Reuters</em>, 15 Jan. 2026</a></li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://africacenter.org/spotlight/china-port-development-africa/">Nantulya, Paul. "Mapping China’s Strategic Port Development in Africa." <em>Africa Center for Strategic Studies</em>, 10 Mar. 2025</a></li></ul>