US Lawmakers Divided After Classified Briefing on Venezuela Operation
WASHINGTON, D.C. — A classified briefing on Capitol Hill regarding the Trump administration’s recent military operation in Venezuela has exposed sharp divisions among U.S. lawmakers over the future of American involvement in the South American country. The session, held Monday behind closed doors, featured top officials detailing the weekend’s strikes that led to the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, a move that has raised questions about the scope and intent of U.S. policy in the region.
House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., emerged from the meeting reiterating that the United States is “not at war” with Venezuela. Johnson emphasized that there is no deployment of U.S. armed forces on Venezuelan soil and dismissed any notion of an occupation or regime change. “This is a demand for change of behavior by a regime,” Johnson said, underscoring that the interim government now recognized by the U.S. is expected to steer Venezuela toward a new path.
Johnson’s remarks came amid a tense atmosphere on Capitol Hill where lawmakers from both parties grappled with the implications of the operation. The briefing included Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Attorney General Pam Bondi, CIA Director John Ratcliffe, Joint Chiefs of Staff Chair Gen. Dan “Raizin” Caine, and Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, though none of these officials spoke publicly after the session.
Echoing Johnson, House Foreign Affairs Committee Chair Brian Mast, R-Fla., described the operation as a “specific law enforcement function” aimed at removing a significant obstacle to Venezuelan self-determination. “We do not expect further military action,” Mast added, signaling a hope that diplomatic and political efforts will now take precedence.
However, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., sharply criticized the Trump administration’s approach. Schumer expressed concerns about the legality and strategic wisdom of the strikes, questioning the administration’s long-term plan for Venezuela and the Western Hemisphere. His skepticism reflects broader Democratic unease with the unilateral military action without broader congressional consensus.
The operation, which resulted in Maduro’s capture on drug trafficking conspiracy charges, follows years of escalating tensions between the U.S. and the Venezuelan regime. The Trump administration has consistently framed Maduro as a dictator whose government fosters corruption, human rights abuses, and regional instability. The recent military strikes were described by some officials as a “masterclass in precision,” highlighting the administration’s focus on targeted enforcement rather than full-scale warfare.
Despite the administration’s assurances, questions remain about the interim government’s capacity to govern effectively and the potential for further unrest. The U.S. has historically maintained a cautious stance on direct military involvement in Latin America, mindful of the region’s complex political dynamics and the legacy of past interventions.
For now, lawmakers continue to debate the next steps. The Trump administration’s operation has opened a new chapter in U.S.-Venezuelan relations, but the path forward is far from clear. As Speaker Johnson stated, the goal is to “coerce the interim government to get that going,” signaling a reliance on political and economic pressure rather than boots on the ground.
Congressional leaders and committee members involved in the briefing are expected to continue discussions on how to balance enforcement actions with diplomatic engagement. The situation remains fluid, with implications for U.S. foreign policy in the Western Hemisphere and beyond.
More information on U.S. foreign policy and congressional oversight can be found through the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and the House Armed Services Committee. The Department of State’s official statements on Venezuela are available at state.gov/venezuela, while updates on military operations can be monitored via the Department of Defense website.
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