The United States is “not at war” in Venezuela, according to House Speaker Mike Johnson, despite a recent controversial raid ordered by former President Donald Trump to capture Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. This announcement follows Trump’s declaration that the U.S. would now “run” the country, raising significant international and domestic concerns.
The surprise incursion, which took place over the weekend, marks a significant escalation in U.S. actions against Venezuela. Over recent months, the U.S. has intensified pressure on Maduro’s government, implementing a blockade on oil shipments and conducting airstrikes on vessels off the Venezuelan coast. These actions have reportedly resulted in at least 110 casualties.
Political Reactions and Criticisms
Trump’s assertion that interim leader Delcy Rodríguez will facilitate U.S. oil companies’ control over Venezuela’s vast crude reserves has been met with skepticism and criticism, particularly from Democrats. They argue that Trump has embroiled the U.S. in a conflict he initially promised to avoid, bypassing Congress in the process.
Following a briefing with top administration officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Johnson emphasized that the U.S. is not seeking military control over Venezuela. “We are not at war. We do not have U.S. armed forces in Venezuela, and we are not occupying that country,” he stated, countering Democratic claims of legal violations by the Trump administration.
Allegations Against Maduro’s Government
The Trump administration has accused Maduro of running a “narco-terrorist” regime involved in drug trafficking, including fentanyl, into the United States. These claims, however, have been contested by experts. Additionally, the administration alleges Maduro’s government has allowed adversaries like China and Russia, as well as groups such as Hezbollah, to establish a presence in Venezuela.
Johnson remains optimistic that the U.S. strategy of restricting Venezuela’s oil production will compel its socialist government to alter its course and potentially hold new elections. He referenced analyses suggesting Maduro’s victory in the 2024 presidential elections was fraudulent.
“We have a way of persuasion, because their oil exports, as you know, have been seized. And I think that will bring the country to a new governance in very short order,” Johnson said.
Senate Concerns and International Backlash
Democratic Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer expressed dissatisfaction with the administration’s briefing, stating it left more questions than answers. He warned that the U.S. risks being drawn into another war, criticizing the plan as vague and overly optimistic.
Meanwhile, Maduro, arrested alongside his wife Cilia Flores, faces federal charges related to guns, drugs, and narco-terrorism. He pleaded not guilty in a New York court. The U.S. incursion has been condemned by numerous countries at an emergency UN Security Council meeting, labeling it a “crime of aggression.”
Democratic senators are preparing to propose a war powers resolution requiring congressional approval for any further military actions in Venezuela. However, its passage remains uncertain in the Republican-controlled Senate.
Congressional Dynamics and Future Implications
Monday’s briefing was limited to top Democrats and Republicans, as well as leaders of committees overseeing intelligence, foreign policy, and armed forces. Notably, the judiciary committees were excluded, prompting bipartisan protest from Senate Judiciary Chair Chuck Grassley and Ranking Member Dick Durbin.
“There is no legitimate basis for excluding the Senate judiciary committee from this briefing,” Grassley and Durbin stated in a joint release.
Republican Brian Mast, chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, defended the administration’s actions, likening them to previous military operations, such as the killing of Iranian General Qassem Suleimani, which did not require prolonged U.S. troop involvement.
“They are not the protracted war administration, they never have been. They haven’t produced a protracted war,” Mast commented.
As the situation develops, the Trump administration plans to return to Capitol Hill to provide further briefings. The unfolding events in Venezuela continue to stir debate over U.S. foreign policy and the balance of power between the executive branch and Congress.
