U.S. strikes Venezuela and captures Maduro; Trump says “we’ll oversee the nation” for now”!
Sen. Tim Kaine set to propose another war powers vote this week
Democratic Senator Tim Kaine plans to introduce his newest war powers resolution for a vote this week, labeling the military engagement in Venezuela “a war without legal grounds.”
“There is no constitutional basis, historical precedent, or American legislation that empowers the president to engage in warfare, to oust President Maduro, and take control of Venezuela’s oil without Congressional approval,” Kaine stated to reporters on Saturday.
Since October, there have been two unsuccessful attempts in both the Senate and House to restrict the president’s powers to target Venezuela and the alleged drug-running vessels in the area.
Kaine put forth his latest resolution in early December, shortly after reports surfaced about the U.S. killing two survivors from a September 2 strike in the Caribbean.
His proposed resolution would mandate “the withdrawal of U.S. Armed Forces from hostilities within or aimed at Venezuela that lack Congressional authorization.”
While most Democrats have backed measures to limit the president’s powers, these initiatives have not garnered sufficient Republican support for approval.
Kaine remarked on Saturday that his Republican counterparts assumed President Trump would not act on his threats toward Venezuela and Maduro.
“Some of my Republican colleagues expressed, ‘Oh, we think the president is just bluffing’ or ‘This isn’t truly going to happen,'” Kaine shared.
“Now they will realize this is no bluff. They’ve seen President Trump unable to provide a coherent rationale for the operation—whether it’s about drug trafficking, regime change, or oil control,” Kaine continued. “They’ve watched as he and the Secretary of State suggested Cuba might be next. It’s imperative for Congress to act as mandated by the Constitution.”
Kaine mentioned his intention to push for votes on this topic multiple times in the upcoming year.
Duffy affirms FAA has implemented airspace restrictions over the Caribbean and Venezuela, uncertain when they will be lifted
Following flight cancellations by numerous airlines, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy confirmed that the Federal Aviation Administration has restricted airspace in the Caribbean and Venezuela. The timeline for lifting these restrictions remains unknown.
“In support of the Department of War, the FAA imposed airspace restrictions in the Caribbean and Venezuela to ensure the safety of air travelers,” he posted on X. “These restrictions will be revoked when deemed suitable. Please coordinate with your airlines if your travel has been affected.”
Rubio and Trump suggest that the attack on Venezuela could alarm the Cuban regime
During a press conference, Mr. Trump was asked if there was a message in the Venezuela operation for Cuba. He stated that Cuba is a “unique” situation.
“Cuba is a failing nation at this point,” Mr. Trump said in response. “A nation that is failing terribly. We aim to assist its citizens.”
Rubio criticized Cuba’s leadership, describing them as “incompetent and senile men,” highlighting that many who aided Maduro were of Cuban origin.
“Venezuelans face a significant issue in declaring their independence from a Cuba that has essentially tried to colonize them from a security angle,” Rubio added. “If I were in Havana’s government, I’d be at least somewhat concerned.”
If the U.S. were to pursue an operation like this in Cuba, it wouldn’t be unprecedented. President John F. Kennedy initiated the Bay of Pigs invasion in 1961, a failed attempt to dethrone Fidel Castro and his communist regime.
Schumer and Jeffries demand an “immediate” briefing for the “Gang of Eight” and updates for all Congressional members
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries insisted that the Trump administration must brief Congress about the operation in Venezuela, condemning the president’s declaration that the U.S. would oversee Venezuela for the time being.
“President Trump’s plan to manage Venezuela is unacceptable,” they stated in a joint announcement. “It is crucial that the Trump administration provides an immediate Gang of Eight briefing, followed by sessions for all members of the House and Senate next week.”
The Gang of Eight includes top leaders from both chambers and the chairs and ranking members of the House and Senate intelligence committees.
Venezuela’s vice president asserts Maduro is the “sole president” of the nation
In response to Mr. Trump’s comments regarding Delcy Rodriguez, Venezuela’s vice president being installed to replace Maduro and collaborating with the U.S., Rodriguez stated on Saturday that Venezuela’s “only president” remains Maduro.
“Only president Venezuela, the president, Nicolás Maduro,” Rodriguez declared in Spanish.
In her first televised address since the operation, she expressed her anger over the U.S. detaining Maduro and his spouse. Rodriguez demanded their immediate release.
She also remarked about the U.S., saying, “What they did to Venezuela today, they can replicate on anyone. This brutal force to impose their will can be directed at any nation.”
-Mia Salenetri contributed to this post.
Tulsi Gabbard previously stood against intervention in Venezuela
During President Trump’s initial term, Tulsi Gabbard strongly opposed military intervention in Venezuela. At that time, she was campaigning for the presidency as a Democrat, and John Bolton served as the national security adviser. In late 2018, Maduro was reported to have secured what the U.S. labeled a “fraudulent election,” with top U.S. officials, including Bolton, endorsing the opposition leader’s efforts to unseat him in 2019.
“It’s once again about the oil,” Gabbard, now the director of national intelligence, posted on X in January 2019. “Bolton just revealed the true intent for intervention in Venezuela: ‘We’re currently in talks with major American companies… It would shift the landscape if American companies could extract the oil in Venezuela. We both stand to gain a lot here.'”
“Historically, every instance where the U.S. overthrew a foreign dictator or government resulted in calamity,” she added on X in May 2019. “Civil war and military interference in Venezuela will bring destruction and suffering to its people while escalating tensions that jeopardize our national security.”
Rodriguez claims she will cooperate with the U.S., while Trump states
In his press conference, Mr. Trump stated that Delcy Rodriguez, the vice president of Venezuela, is prepared to collaborate with the U.S. The president suggested that Rubio had a conversation with her.
Mr. Trump remarked that Rodriguez stated “we will comply with whatever you require,” although he also indicated she doesn’t have alternatives.
However, Rodriguez publicly declared Maduro as Venezuela’s “only president” and called for the U.S. to free him and his wife, Cilia Flores, as reported by AFP.
Schumer rebukes Trump’s assertion that the U.S. will “manage” Venezuela
Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer joined other party members in denouncing Mr. Trump’s proposal for the United States to “manage” Venezuela until a “proper transition” can happen.
“The notion that Trump intends for the U.S. to oversee Venezuela should instill fear in every American,” Schumer stated following the president’s press conference regarding the Venezuela operation overnight. “The American populace has witnessed this before and has borne the severe costs.”
The New York Democrat criticized the Trump administration for seemingly diverting attention from the current state of the U.S. economy and its handling of the Justice Department’s files related to the Jeffrey Epstein investigation.
“Let me be clear: Nicolás Maduro is a rogue dictator. However, conducting military action without Congressional consent and without a viable plan for what follows is irresponsible,” Schumer remarked. “The administration has reassured me three separate times that it was not seeking regime change or military intervention in Venezuela. Clearly, they are not being forthright with the American people.”
Representative Rick Crawford states a secure America “depends on a secure neighborhood”
GOP Representative Rick Crawford of Arkansas, chair of the House Intelligence Committee, remarked to CBS News that Saturday’s operation was a “significant day for Venezuela.”
Crawford, along with Senate Select Intelligence Chairman Tom Cotton, referred to the action as a law enforcement measure — one conducted with military support — which meant the Trump administration was not obliged to inform Congress beforehand. He mentioned that he and other Congressional members were contacted “after the fact” and that he had discussions with Rubio and Hegseth.
He further likened the operation to former President Obama’s directive for capturing Anas al-Libi, an al-Qaeda operative wanted for terror-related activities, arrested in Libya in 2013. Al-Libi was not a state official.
“We’re not reinventing the wheel here,” Crawford explained. “We’re simply following a precedent set during the Obama era.”
When asked about the potential global implications of the Venezuela operation, Crawford refrained from speculating, asserting that Mr. Trump’s actions should be interpreted as a show of strength. While former President Biden did not recognize Maduro as a legitimate leader, he also “lacked the courage to take action,” Crawford noted.
“That’s the difference here. We currently have a president who means business,” Crawford remarked. “What we must comprehend is that a secure America necessitates a secure neighborhood.”
Leading Democrat claims there’s “no evidence whatsoever this enhances America’s safety”
Representative Adam Smith, the leading Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee, communicated to CBS News 24/7 that “there’s zero evidence this action improves America’s safety.”
“This does not seem to pertain to narcotics,” Smith stated regarding the Venezuela operation, adding, “it seems that what this is about is Trump coveting Venezuela’s oil.”
He also expressed concerns about the potential future consequences.
“Is his plan to invade?” Smith queried.
Referencing past U.S. military actions in Iraq and Libya, Smith pointed out that each time, “the outcomes have been disastrous.”
“The belief that the U.S. military can intervene and resolve this issue through force? This is contrary to what Trump campaigned against,” Smith commented.
Rubio had recently reassured Congress that intervention in Venezuela wasn’t aimed at regime change, Smith mentioned.
“And clearly, it’s apparent that was the intention,” he concluded.
Trump shares images of himself and senior officials overseeing the Venezuela mission from Mar-a-Lago
Following Mr. Trump’s press conference, his Truth Social account released several images of him alongside senior officials and aides observing the overnight mission from Mar-a-Lago.
U.S. military personnel sustained gunshot wounds and other injuries, but no deaths occurred
U.S. military personnel involved in the Venezuela operation experienced non-life-threatening gunshot wounds and other injuries, according to two U.S. officials speaking to CBS News.
The total number of those injured during the operation remains unclear.
However, there were no fatalities among U.S. personnel.
All injured service members are reported to be in stable condition.
Trump states the U.S. is “in the oil business” and plans to market Venezuelan oil
Throughout his press conference, Mr. Trump brought up Venezuela’s oil resources multiple times. The country has the largest confirmed crude oil reserves globally.
“In regard to other nations seeking oil, we are actively engaged in the oil business,” the president informed reporters. “We will provide it to them without hesitation. Essentially, we will sell oil in potentially greater quantities, as they had limited production due to poor infrastructure. Therefore, we will be exporting large volumes of oil to other nations—many of whom are currently using it—but I anticipate many more will partake.”
Mr. Trump claimed that Venezuelan citizens would benefit from these oil sales—yet so would the U.S. The specifics of how U.S. control over Venezuelan oil operations and sales would be structured remain uncertain, but the president’s interest in Venezuelan oil has raised eyebrows among some lawmakers.
“Prior administrations convinced us to go to war over nonexistent WMDs—weapons of mass destruction,” Republican Representative Thomas Massie of Kentucky stated on the House floor on December 17. “Now we’re faced with a similar narrative, but we’re told that drugs are the new WMDs. If it genuinely revolved around drugs, we’d be directing attacks on Mexico, China, or Colombia, and the president would not have granted clemency to Juan Orlando Hernandez. This is fundamentally about oil and regime change.”
Trump claims he told Maduro “you must surrender”
Mr. Trump claimed to have spoken with Maduro, telling him, “you need to surrender.” He did not clarify when these discussions took place.
“And I genuinely believed he was quite close to doing it, but now he must regret that,” the president added.
Trump on “America First” values: “We aim to be surrounded by good neighbors”
When asked how the operation aligns with his “America First” agenda, Mr. Trump responded, “I believe it is because we want to be surrounded by good neighbors.”
“We want to ensure access to energy, as that country holds tremendous energy resources,” he continued. “It’s crucial that we safeguard it for our benefit and the world’s, and we must ensure its protection.”
Rubio asserts “this was not the type of operation suitable for congressional notice”
Rubio, amid some backlash from lawmakers who criticized the Trump administration for not alerting Congress before the strikes, stated that “this was not the type of operation for which you can enable congressional notification.”
“It was a condition-based operation, meaning specific criteria had to be met,” Rubio explained, adding, “It’s not the kind of mission you can communicate to others and say, ‘Hey, this is a possibility in the next 15 days.'”
“But fundamentally, this serves a law enforcement purpose,” Rubio stated. “At its essence, this was the apprehension of two fugitives indicted by American justice, with the Department of War supporting the Department of Justice in this task.”
Rubio conceded that there are “wider policy consequences here, but it’s simply not the kind of mission that can be pre-notified as it jeopardizes the mission’s success.”
Mr. Trump added, “Congress often has a tendency to leak information.”
“This would not be advantageous,” he mentioned, indicating that if news had leaked, it might have led to a “very different outcome.”
Trump states regarding Venezuela “we will be governing it with a team”
When reporters inquired about how the country would be governed, Mr. Trump replied, “We will oversee it with a team, ensuring it is managed correctly.”
“We aim to restore the oil infrastructure, which will require billions of dollars, funded directly by the oil companies,” Mr. Trump stated. “We intend to resume oil production to optimal levels.”
Mr. Trump mentioned “we’re designating various individuals.”
“For a time, this will largely involve the individuals standing alongside me,” Mr. Trump said, indicating Hegseth, Rubio, and Gen. Dan Caine, the Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman. “We will supervise it as we facilitate its recovery.”
When questioned by journalists about U.S. troop involvement, he said, “we’re not hesitant about deploying ground forces,” noting that “we had ground forces involved last night.”
“We’re currently present, prepared to act again if necessary,” he stated.
Rubio argues Maduro “had various chances to avert this”
Secretary of State Rubio remarked that Maduro “had various chances to avert this; he was presented with numerous very, very generous proposals, yet opted to act recklessly and engaged in erratic behavior. “Nicolas Maduro was indicted in 2020 in the U.S. He is not the rightful president of Venezuela,” Rubio declared. “He is a fugitive from American law.”
Rubio cautioned, “Don’t attempt to manipulate this president,” adding, “it’s not going to end well.”
Hegseth states Maduro “messed around and discovered the consequences”
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, speaking after the president at Mar-a-Lago, commended the U.S. operation and remarked of Maduro that he “messed around and found the outcome.”
“Our adversaries remain alert. America can exert its influence anywhere, at any time,” Hegseth stated. “The coordination, stealth, precision, and far-reaching American justice were all evident during the operation conducted in the early hours.