Senate Takes Action Against Trump's Military Plans in Venezuela

Senate Resolution Aims to Curb Presidential Military Authority

Washington: On Thursday, the Senate moved forward with a resolution aimed at restricting President Donald Trump's capacity to initiate further military actions against Venezuela, reflecting growing concerns regarding his ambitions in the region.

The resolution, which passed with a vote of 52-47, saw support from Democrats and five Republican senators, paving the way for a future vote on its final approval. However, its chances of becoming law are slim, as it would require Trump's signature after passing through the House.

This resolution comes in the wake of a controversial military operation where U.S. forces captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro during a surprise raid.

The Trump administration is currently focused on seizing control of Venezuela's oil reserves and government, but the proposed resolution would mandate congressional consent for any additional military actions against the nation.

Republican Senators Rand Paul (Kentucky), Lisa Murkowski (Alaska), Josh Hawley (Missouri), Susan Collins (Maine), and Todd Young (Indiana) supported the resolution.

Previously, Democrats struggled to pass similar resolutions during Trump's intensified campaign against Venezuela. However, with Maduro now in custody and Trump's attention shifting to other targets like Greenland, lawmakers see this as a pivotal moment for the Republican-led Congress.

"It's essential for Congress to reclaim its authority over military engagements of this nature and to bring these actions into the public eye," stated Senator Tim Kaine, a Democrat from Virginia, who prompted the vote.

Republican leaders indicated they were not informed in advance about the early Saturday raid to capture Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, yet they expressed satisfaction following classified briefings from top administration officials regarding the operation.