🔗 Share this article Democratic Lawmakers Condemn Raid on Venezuela as GOP Backs the President After Senate Briefing. Top officials from the administration went to Capitol Hill to defend one of the most audacious military operations in modern American memory: the forcible capture of a sitting head of state from his own capital. Details of the Raid Disclosed to Senators The secretaries of state and defense, the attorney general, the intelligence chief, and the top military officer informed all 100 U.S. senators on Operation Absolute Resolve, the lightning raid that removed the Venezuelan president, Nicolás Maduro, from his home in Caracas and transported him to a detention facility in New York. This briefing marked the first time the entire chamber heard particulars of the early January operation, which involved elite American troops entering Venezuela before dawn to capture Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores. Strategy Focused on Petroleum Officials described a threefold process for Venezuela that revolved around oil: first, stabilization of the country; next, creating opportunities for companies to operate in the Venezuelan market; and a final phase described as “a transitional period.” “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 Beyond the oil, the operation has divided the capital along expected partisan divides. Republicans have united in support of the portrayal of the raid as a simple arrest operation targeting an indicted drug trafficker. Opposition party members warn of an unlawful military aggression that could destabilize the South American nation and set a dangerous precedent 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 a change in government if he should have never been in power to begin with.” Sequence of Events and Legal Proceedings In the early morning hours, special operations forces hit several locations across northern Venezuela, captured Maduro and Flores, transported them to a naval vessel, flew them to a stateside base, and then turned them over to authorities in New York. Days later, Maduro appeared before a judge entering a denial to charges including “drug terrorism” conspiracy. Opposition Doubts and Citizen Concern One Democratic senator emerged from the closed-door session disbelieving, stating the administration is “going to take the oil through military might.” “This is an insane plan,” the lawmaker said. “They are talking about taking the nation's petroleum resources under threat of force for an unspecified time as leverage to micromanage the country.” The senator added that they “heard no detailed plan” for ensuring Venezuela’s future stability. This criticism reflects wider citizen anxiety. Polls indicate a majority of Americans believe the operation should have required legislative authorization. Separate surveys found about 75% express concern 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 how long this is going to last. We need answers on troop levels, funding, and what limits are in place.” Unclear Path Ahead and Global Criticism The question of what happens next in Venezuela remains unclear. Leadership has stated the U.S. would “run” the country for an unspecified period. “The reality is the entire Maduro apparatus is still in place,” one analyst noted. “Everyone is in awe of the capacity of our military... but there is no answer about the future plan.” International condemnation has been rapid. Numerous nations have censured the operation. At the United Nations, representatives from other major powers demanded Maduro’s prompt freedom, while the U.S. defended the action as a precise police action. Broader Strategic Focus Republican lawmakers are also narrowing their sights toward Greenland, citing defense concerns. “China and Russia are operating off the coast 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 plans to ease pressure. “Our military is prepared to continue this,” a senior defense official told reporters. “We are an administration of deeds to advance our interests, and that is on clear view.”