UPDATE: The capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has sent shockwaves through New York City as he is reportedly en route for prosecution. President Donald Trump announced on Saturday that Maduro and his wife are aboard the USS Iwo Jima, heading to New York after being indicted on serious charges.
Lawmakers are reacting swiftly to the news, with strong criticisms directed at the Trump administration’s motives behind this controversial military action. Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez raised questions about the true intentions behind Maduro’s capture, stating, “It’s not about drugs. If it was, Trump wouldn’t have pardoned one of the largest narco traffickers in the world last month.” She suggested that the operation is more about oil and regime change than justice.
Meanwhile, Congressman Adriano Espaillat, who represents parts of Upper Manhattan and the Bronx, voiced his opposition to Maduro’s regime but condemned the method of his capture as unconstitutional. “While I strongly oppose the illegitimate regime of Nicolás Maduro, President Trump’s military action was a serious constitutional violation,” he stated. Espaillat called for a full briefing for Congress on the implications of this military action.
Congresswoman Yvette Clarke echoed these sentiments, accusing the White House of executing an illegal operation. “The Trump administration launched a large-scale military attack on a sovereign nation and kidnapped its sitting president, without Congressional approval,” she wrote. Clarke emphasized that such actions threaten the fabric of American democracy.
Rep. Dan Goldman classified Maduro’s capture as “an illegal act of war,” stressing that even a brutal dictator should be subject to constitutional laws. “If Congress is to survive as an institution, the Republican majority must join us in holding this administration accountable,” he stated.
Attorney General Pam Bondi confirmed that Maduro has been indicted in the Southern District of New York on charges related to narco-terrorism. Bondi asserted that Maduro and his wife “will soon face the full wrath of American justice on American soil.” In a previous indictment from 2020, Maduro was accused of collaborating with Colombian guerrilla groups to traffic cocaine and weapons into the U.S.
The situation remains fluid, with ongoing debates about the legal implications of this unprecedented military intervention. Lawmakers are calling for immediate Congressional discussions to address the potential consequences of Trump’s actions in Venezuela.
As this story develops, the implications for international relations and the legal precedents it sets are under intense scrutiny. The urgency of the situation has sparked widespread discussion, making it a pivotal moment in U.S.-Venezuela relations.
Stay tuned for further updates as more information becomes available.
