Democratic strategist James Carville commented on Tuesday regarding U.S. foreign policy in Venezuela, particularly focusing on the detainment of President Nicolas Maduro. He suggested that the U.S. might be “ripe for invasion” if actions against “corrupt” regimes are deemed justified.
He expressed his thoughts during an interview, saying, “If it’s legal to invade corrupt authoritarian countries, then one might as well send the military to San Francisco, Boston, and the entire East and West Coast because we have our own corrupt regime here. It seems evident, and I think it’s happening right now.” This was shared during his appearance on MS NOW with host Ari Melber.
Maduro and his spouse, Cilia Flores, were taken into custody on Saturday and subsequently indicted on federal charges, including narcotics trafficking and arms-related offenses, in New York.
Carville emphasized the need for Democrats to clarify who actually benefits from U.S. involvement in Venezuela.
He further questioned the impact of these actions on average Americans, asking, “Is a sheriff’s deputy in Iowa or a dental hygienist in Montana benefiting from this?” He noted that there doesn’t seem to be a true winner in the equation, and, if anything, the consequences might negatively affect the lives of many.
The White House did not respond to inquiries for comments on the matter.
Carville also discussed public sentiment about U.S. military action in Venezuela. A recent Reuters/Ipsos survey revealed that 34% of Americans were opposed to military intervention, while 33% supported it, and another 33% remained uncertain.
He added that no U.S. citizens were part of the military operation, referencing President Trump’s claim that major oil companies had been informed in advance. However, the Wall Street Journal later reported that companies like Chevron were not notified prior to these actions, according to sources familiar with the situation.
In discussing the potential consequences, Carville noted, “Anyone considering voting for Trump due to concerns about their livelihoods should reconsider, as they aren’t part of this deal. If you stay passive, you may miss out while others profit.” He mentioned that a significant portion of the population disapproves of the current direction.
Democrats are arguing that Trump lacks the authority to initiate military action in Venezuela without Congressional consent. In contrast, Secretary of State Marco Rubio defended the operation, asserting that it didn’t necessitate such approval.
Rubio explained that it resembled operations conducted by previous presidents over the past four decades, claiming, “The difference is that under Trump, the Democrats react dramatically.”
Additionally, Trump announced that Venezuela’s interim leaders would supply between 30 to 50 million barrels of sanctioned crude oil to the U.S. at market prices, with proceeds expected to benefit both the Venezuelan and U.S. populace.
