Senate Moves to Block Military Action Against Venezuela
A bipartisan group of senators acted on Friday to prevent President Donald Trump from engaging the U.S. in what they deem “hostile acts” against Venezuela, as stipulated under the War Powers Resolution. This comes after a series of recent attacks off the South American country’s coast.
The resolution serves as a reminder to Trump that the power to declare war rests solely with Congress. This follows the president’s comments on Wednesday, where he noted that he was contemplating land operations and had authorized CIA actions in Venezuela.
Reports indicate that Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro had initiated military exercises near the Colombian border as early as August, mobilizing thousands of troops in response to U.S. anti-drug cartel actions in its coastal waters.
Further discussions suggest that additional troops may have been deployed following the airstrikes earlier this week, although confirmation from Fox News Digital remains unverified.
Senator Tim Kaine, a Democrat from Virginia, expressed significant concern about the administration’s potential plans for military action without Congressional authorization. “I am deeply worried that this could lead us into another unnecessary war, one that could destabilize the region and trigger a large wave of immigration,” Kaine noted in a statement. He emphasized the importance of Congressional responsibilities in matters of war, urging colleagues to seek public support and proper authorization if they favor military engagement.
Kaine’s resolution also finds backing from Rand Paul, a Republican senator from Kentucky, who remarked, “The American people do not want to be embroiled in another endless war without public discourse or a formal vote. We must adhere to our Constitution, which demands deliberation before any preemptive military action.”
Despite bipartisan backing, the resolution faces challenges in the Senate, where Republicans hold a majority with 53 seats.
A draft bill, which aimed to limit the deployment of U.S. troops in the Southern Caribbean without prior Congressional authorization, was voted down last week, despite the support from both Paul and Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski.
In response to ongoing discussions, White House Press Secretary Anna Kelly emphasized that the President’s actions were in compliance with armed conflict laws, aimed at protecting the nation from drug threats. She criticized lawmakers who would hinder efforts against what she termed “evil narco-terrorists,” pointing out the devastating toll of drug overdoses in the U.S.
Democrats are pressing the administration for transparency regarding an earlier boat raid thought to be linked to the Torren de Aragua drug cartel, a group designated as a foreign terrorist organization.
In a reported airstrike, Venezuelan officials stated that those affected were not members of the cartel, contradicting claims made by the U.S. government.
Fox News Digital attempted to contact the Venezuelan embassy in Washington, D.C. for comment but has not received an immediate response.
