The United States military launched a rapid operation in Venezuela on March 9, 2024, resulting in the capture of President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores. American officials stated that the couple will face charges of narco-terrorism in U.S. courts. The operation, described as a lightning strike, occurred in the early hours, with explosions reported throughout Caracas, the nation’s capital.
Witnesses in Caracas reported hearing at least seven explosions during the operation, which lasted less than 30 minutes. Targets included military infrastructure, with smoke rising from a hangar at a military base and a nearby facility experiencing a power outage. President Donald Trump confirmed the capture via social media, stating, “Maduro has been, along with his wife, captured and flown out of the country.”
Political Fallout from the Operation
The decision to proceed without prior notification to Congress has sparked significant backlash from Democratic lawmakers. Senator Andy Kim from New Jersey criticized the administration, claiming it circumvented the Constitutionally required approval process for military action. He highlighted that the American public largely opposes further military engagement, stating, “The Administration knows the American people overwhelmingly reject risks pulling our nation into another war.”
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer echoed Kim’s sentiments, labeling the military action “reckless.” He pointed out that the administration had assured Congress multiple times that it was not pursuing regime change in Venezuela. “Clearly, they are not being straight with Americans,” Schumer stated in a public statement.
Additionally, Representative Gregory Meeks, the ranking member on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, revealed he had received no advance notice about the operation, learning of it only through media reports.
Reasons Behind Lack of Notification
In response to the controversy, Trump and Pete Hegseth, the Secretary of War, explained the rationale for not informing congressional leaders beforehand. They cited concerns over potential leaks that could jeopardize the operation. Hegseth introduced an acronym, FAFO, to emphasize the risks of disclosing sensitive information.
Trump reinforced this point during a press conference, stating, “Congress has a tendency to leak. This would not be good. If they leaked, it would’ve been a very different result.” His comments reflect a broader concern that disclosures from Congress could undermine military efforts, particularly in operations like this one, which were designed to be swift and decisive.
The situation in Venezuela remains volatile, and the implications of this military action could resonate across international relations, particularly in Latin America. As the political landscape evolves, the U.S. government’s approach to foreign interventions will likely face increased scrutiny from both political opponents and the public.
