🔗 Share this article Democratic Lawmakers Condemn Raid on Venezuela as Republicans Defend the President After Closed-Door Session. Top officials from the administration arrived on Capitol Hill to defend one of the most audacious military operations in recent US history: the seizure of a current national leader from his home city. Operation Particulars Disclosed to Lawmakers The secretaries of state and defense, the attorney general, the CIA director, and the chair of the joint chiefs informed all 100 U.S. senators on Operation Absolute Resolve, the swift strike that removed the Venezuelan president, Nicolás Maduro, from his home in Caracas and brought him to a detention facility in New York. This session marked the first time the full Senate heard details of the 3 January attack, which involved elite American troops entering Venezuela in the pre-dawn hours to seize Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores. A Plan Centered on Oil Officials described a threefold process for Venezuela that was centered on oil: first, bringing order to the nation; next, finding access 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 Erupts in Washington Beyond the oil, the operation has split Washington along predictable lines. GOP lawmakers have rallied behind the characterization of the raid as a straightforward law enforcement action targeting an indicted drug trafficker. Opposition party members warn of an illegal act of war that could destabilize the South American nation and establish a troubling new norm for executive power. “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 regime change if he should have never been in power to begin with.” Operational Timeline and Court Case In the pre-dawn operation, elite troops struck multiple targets across the country's north, captured Maduro and Flores, ferried them to a naval vessel, flew them to a stateside base, and then turned them over to authorities in New York. Days later, Maduro stood in federal court pleading not guilty to charges including “drug terrorism” conspiracy. Democratic Skepticism and Public Unease 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 under threat of force for an unspecified time as a bargaining chip to micromanage the country.” The senator added that they “heard no detailed plan” for ensuring Venezuela’s future stability. This pushback reflects wider citizen anxiety. Polls indicate a majority of Americans believe the operation ought to have needed congressional approval. Separate surveys found about 75% express concern the U.S. will become overly entangled in Venezuela. Overall public opinion echoes the political division 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 limits are in place.” Uncertain Future and Global Criticism The question of the next steps in Venezuela remains murky. Leadership has stated the U.S. would “manage” the country for an unspecified period. “The reality is the entire previous government structure is still in place,” one analyst noted. “Everyone is in awe of the capacity of our military... but there is little clarity about the future plan.” International condemnation has been rapid. Numerous nations have denounced the operation. At the United Nations, representatives from other major powers called for Maduro’s prompt freedom, while the U.S. defended the action as a precise police action. Wider Security Concerns Republican lawmakers are also narrowing their sights toward Greenland, citing national security concerns. “China and Russia are conducting activities near Greenland,” one GOP senator said. “In my view, we have a very keen interest in Greenland.” The administration has maintained warships positioned off Venezuela’s coast and recently took control of Venezuela-linked oil tankers, signaling 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.”