The United States conducted a sudden military operation in Venezuela on Saturday, capturing President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, who are now facing narco-terrorism charges in U.S. courts. The operation unfolded in Caracas, where explosions and low-flying aircraft were reported. The military strike lasted less than 30 minutes and targeted various military infrastructures, leaving at least one installation without power and smoke billowing from a hangar.
In a statement posted on social media, former President Donald Trump confirmed the capture, stating that Maduro and Flores had been flown out of the country. During a press conference, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth explained the rationale behind not notifying Congress prior to the mission, emphasizing the potential for information leaks.
Political Repercussions and Congressional Response
The absence of congressional notification has drawn sharp criticism from several Democratic lawmakers. Senator Chuck Schumer of New York labeled the military action as “reckless,” asserting that the administration had previously assured Congress that it was not seeking regime change in Venezuela. He expressed concerns regarding transparency, stating, “Clearly, they are not being straight with Americans.”
Representative Andy Kim of New Jersey echoed these sentiments, stating that the administration bypassed the constitutionally required approval process for military action. In a post on X, he remarked, “The Administration knows the American people overwhelmingly reject risks pulling our nation into another war.”
Representative Gregory Meeks, the ranking member on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, revealed that he was unaware of the operation until it was reported in the news, indicating a lack of communication from the administration.
Justification for Lack of Notification
Trump and Rubio addressed the controversy surrounding the decision to proceed without notifying Congress. Rubio explained, “This is not the kind of mission you can pre-notify.” Trump reinforced this point, stating that “Congress has a tendency to leak,” suggesting that any advance warning could have jeopardized the operation.
The former president’s comments highlight a broader concern regarding congressional leaks and their potential impact on military operations. The implication is that Democratic lawmakers might have used advance knowledge to undermine the mission, thereby affecting its outcome.
As the political fallout continues, the ramifications of this operation may extend beyond Venezuela, igniting debates over the balance of power between the executive and legislative branches concerning military engagement.
This unprecedented military action marks a significant escalation in U.S. involvement in Venezuelan affairs and raises critical questions about the implications for international relations and domestic policy moving forward.