Sánchez statement on military actions in Venezuela

WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Linda T. Sánchez (D-Calif.) today released the following statement on the Trump administration’s military actions in Venezuela:

“There is no question that Nicolás Maduro is a dictator who has brutalized his people and dismantled Venezuelan democracy. The Venezuelan people deserve freedom, self-determination and the rule of law – just as all people do.

“But the Constitution is clear: the power to authorize military actions belongs to Congress. No president has the authority to unilaterally launch military action simply because they believe it is justified. All members of Congress have a duty to call out President Trump’s blatant violation of our Constitution. I hope my Republican colleagues will do the same.

“Serious questions remain unanswered: How many American troops have been deployed to Venezuela and how long will they be there? What actions is the U.S. taking to prevent chaos and violence in the region? Will the president’s illegal military actions end with Venezuela or will our military be used to also go after legitimate, democratically elected leaders in Latin America, as he has threatened with Mexican President Sheinbaum? Was this military operation solely motivated to extract Venezuelan oil for American companies as the president repeatedly alluded to in his press conference? And what will prevent this from becoming another endless war that the American people do not want?

“The president’s press conference failed to address any of these concerns. NATO and the international system depend on the U.S. to be a responsible leader. It’s time for President Trump to come clean to Congress, the American people and our international allies.”

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