Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has sought to project resolve and loyalty to his supporters as U.S. President Donald Trump faced increasing scrutiny in Washington over his growing pressure campaign on Venezuela and broader threats of military action against countries he accuses of fueling America's drug crisis.

"We do not want a slave's peace, nor the peace of colonies. Colony, never. Slaves, never," Maduro said as he addressed a rally attended by thousands in Caracas on Monday.

His public vow came amid Washington's massive military buildup near Venezuela and intensifying strikes on alleged drug-smuggling boats in the Caribbean and the Pacific. This months-long campaign has killed dozens and raised bipartisan concern in Congress.

U.S. lawmakers who have repeatedly tried to rein in Trump's unilateral military actions said they would force a congressional vote if the administration proceeds with a strike inside Venezuela.

Members of Trump's own party have started investigations into the September 2 attack, where survivors of the first strike were killed in the second one, an act some lawmakers say may violate international law.

The White House has defended the operation, saying the strikes adhered to the law of armed conflict and were carried out to safeguard U.S. interests.

However, scrutiny has intensified as discrepancies emerged over Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's account of his role in watching the September 2 operation. Admirals involved are set to brief congressional committees amid growing pressure for answers.

Though facing pushback at home, Trump on Tuesday expanded his military warnings beyond Venezuela, telling reporters he sees any country producing drugs headed for the U.S. as a potential target. He indicated that strikes on land targets in Venezuela could happen soon, stating the U.S. knows the routes and networks involved and intends to act swiftly.

"If they come in through a certain country, or any country, or if we think they're building mills, whether it's fentanyl or cocaine… anybody doing that and selling it into our country is subject to attack. Not just Venezuela," Trump said.

His remarks, including comments that he "heard" Colombia was producing cocaine, deepened regional anxieties and raised fears of a wider conflict, particularly as Washington is reportedly considering options that include trying to remove the Venezuelan leader, with the U.S. military poised for a new phase of operations after its buildup in the Caribbean.

Pope Leo, the first American pope, on Tuesday warned the Trump administration against attempting to oust Maduro militarily, urging Washington to instead engage in dialogue or use economic pressure.

He stated that it's better to look for ways of dialogue or possibly pressure, including economic pressure.

Amid rising tensions, however, repatriation flights for Venezuelan migrants have resumed, despite Trump's weekend declaration that Venezuelan airspace should be considered closed. Caracas said on Tuesday it has approved a U.S. request to restart the twice-weekly charter flights, reversing an earlier announcement that operations had been halted. More than 13,000 Venezuelans have already returned this year amid tightening U.S. immigration measures.