US President Donald Trump has insisted that he could continue to launch strikes against alleged drug traffickers abroad without Congress first passing an official declaration of war.

"I'm not going to necessarily ask for a declaration of war," he said.

"I think we're just going to kill people that are bringing drugs into our country. Okay? We're going to kill them, you know, they're going to be like, dead."

Trump's dismissal came as he suggested his administration would soon begin targeting those deemed as cartel members within countries such as Venezuela, in addition to continuing to strike alleged drug boats in international waters.

The US president said he would notify Congress first before beginning any operations on "land," but contended that the plan would not face any pushback f

See Full Page