🔗 Share this article Democratic Lawmakers Condemn Venezuela Attack as GOP Backs the President Following Closed-Door Session. Senior leaders from the White House arrived on Capitol Hill to justify one of the most audacious military operations in recent US history: the seizure of a sitting head of state from his own capital. Operation Particulars Revealed to Senators The secretaries of state and defense, the nation's top lawyer, the CIA director, and the chair of the joint chiefs briefed all 100 U.S. senators on the mission, the lightning raid that extracted the Venezuelan president, Nicolás Maduro, from his Caracas residence and brought him to a detention facility in New York. This session marked the first time the entire chamber heard details of the early January operation, which involved elite American troops entering Venezuela in the pre-dawn hours to capture Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores. Strategy Focused on Petroleum Officials described a three-phase plan for Venezuela that revolved around oil: first, stabilization of the country; next, creating opportunities for companies to enter the Venezuelan market; and a final phase described as “one of transition.” “We are going to take between 30 and 50 million barrels of oil,” one official stated. “We’re going to sell it in the marketplace at market rates, not at the discounts Venezuela was getting.” Political Divide Emerges in Washington Apart from petroleum, the operation has divided the capital along predictable lines. Republicans have rallied behind the portrayal of the raid as a straightforward law enforcement action targeting an accused narcotics kingpin. Democrats warn of an illegal act of war that could plunge Venezuela into chaos and set a dangerous precedent for unilateral presidential action. “What we did is we took out an illegitimate president,” one Republican senator said. “He was never properly voted into office, so there can’t be a change in government if he should have never been in power to begin with.” Operational Timeline and Court Case In the pre-dawn operation, special operations forces struck multiple targets across the country's north, captured Maduro and Flores, ferried them to a U.S. Navy ship, airlifted them to a stateside base, and then delivered them to authorities in New York. Days later, Maduro stood in federal court entering a denial to charges including “drug terrorism” conspiracy. Democratic Skepticism and Citizen Concern One Democratic senator emerged from the confidential briefing disbelieving, stating the administration is “going to take the oil by force.” “This is an insane plan,” the lawmaker said. “They are talking about stealing Venezuelan oil at gunpoint for an unspecified time as leverage to control the nation's affairs.” The senator added that they “heard no comprehensive strategy” for ensuring Venezuela’s future stability. This pushback reflects broader public unease. Polls indicate a majority of Americans believe the operation ought to have needed legislative authorization. Separate surveys found about 75% express worry the U.S. will become overly entangled in Venezuela. Overall sentiment mirrors the partisan split on Capitol Hill. “Across America, people are just saying what is happening?” a senior Democratic leader stated. “We need answers as to the duration of this engagement. We need answers on troop levels, financial cost, and what guardrails are in place.” Uncertain Future and Global Criticism The question of what happens next in Venezuela remains murky. Leadership has stated the U.S. would “run” the country for an indeterminate time. “The reality is the entire previous government structure is still intact,” one analyst noted. “Everyone is in great admiration of the capability of our military... but there is little clarity about what comes next.” International condemnation has been swift. Numerous nations have denounced the operation. At the United Nations, representatives from other major powers demanded Maduro’s prompt freedom, while the U.S. justified the move as targeted law enforcement. Broader Strategic Focus Republican lawmakers are also turning their attention toward Greenland, citing national security concerns. “China and Russia are conducting activities near Greenland,” one GOP senator said. “In my view, we have a significant strategic stake in Greenland.” The administration has kept a naval fleet positioned off Venezuela’s coast and recently took control of Venezuela-linked oil tankers, indicating it has no intention to ease pressure. “Our military is prepared to continue this,” a senior defense official told reporters. “We are an administration of action to advance our interests, and that is on full display.”