At a Glance
- U.S. airstrike captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro
- Republicans praise the strike as a move against an illegitimate leader
- Democrats warn the action is unconstitutional and illegal
- Why it matters: The event sparks a sharp partisan divide over U.S. foreign policy and the legality of military intervention
A U.S. airstrike that led to the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has divided American politicians. Republicans lauded the action as a strike against a corrupt and drug-linked leader, while Democrats argue the move violates U.S. constitutional norms and international law.
Republican Praise
U.S. Senator John Cornyn said:
> “Kudos to President Trump. Maduro was not only an illegitimate president of Venezuela, he was the head of the Cartel de los Soles, a major drug trafficking network involving high-ranking Venezuelan military officers and government officials,” the press release said. “He has been indicted in the Southern District of New York for narco-terrorism conspiracy and other crimes. His association with the Iranian regime and its proxy, Hezbollah, helped fund terrorism in South America and the Middle East, and he was complicit with the ‘ghost fleets’ of Russia, Iran, and China, used to evade U.S. sanctions and fund the Russian war on Ukraine.”
U.S. Senator Ted Cruz said:
> “The Venezuelan regime has for decades posed an acute threat to the national security of the United States and the safety and security of Americans, and Nicolás Maduro himself was a corrupt dictator and thug who systematically oppressed the people of Venezuela and threatened America and our allies. Domestically, he was straightforwardly illegitimate. Internationally, he supported American enemies across the globe, Islamist terrorists, and narcoterrorists.”
Representative Lloyd Doggett said:
> “At a time when so many American families are struggling on healthcare, on the higher prices from Trump’s tariff taxes. What a time for the president to begin another war for oil against a weak country, Venezuela.”
Governor Gregg Abbott said:
> “Maduro is an indicted narco terrorist. His drug trafficking operation cost the lives of many Americans,” Texas Governor Gregg Abbott posted on X. “His release of Tren de Aragua gang members from Venezuelan prisons terrorized American communities and killed my fellow Texans. Texas and the world are better because of his capture.”
Democratic Criticism
Representative Greg Casar said:
> “Trump has no right to take us to war with Venezuela. This is reckless and illegal. Congress should vote immediately on a War Powers Resolution to stop him. My entire life, politicians have been sending other people’s kids to die in reckless regime change wars. Enough. No new wars.”
Representative Joaquin Castro said:
> “Early this morning President Trump escalated an unconstitutional war. Without the approval of, consultation with, or even notice to Congress, the Trump Administration invaded Venezuela and ousted Nicolás Maduro. The President’s motives are also dubious. He declared a few weeks ago that this operation was about oil and land. I fear that he will do what he has done in other parts of the world – use this conflict to enrich himself, his family, and his cronies.”
Key Takeaways
- U.S. airstrike captured Nicolás Maduro, sparking partisan debate.
- Republicans praise the move as a strike against a corrupt leader.
- Democrats argue the action violates constitutional and international law.
The event highlights deep divisions over U.S. foreign policy and the legality of military intervention.
