A week after the Senate rebuffed President Trump's military action in Venezuela, the fate of a rare war powers resolution remains in doubt, as a handful of Republicans face pressure to walk it back. Senators will have to make a choice on Wednesday when the chamber considers final votes on the resolution to block Trump’s ability to use military force again in Venezuela without Congressional approval. more
The Trump administration “is going to be spending just as much time running Venezuela as they are running America,” Sen. Chris Murphy said in an address to voters. “That’s terrible news for you.” more
“They’ve been pretending that this made-up thing was real for a year. But now that they’d have actually to demonstrate its existence in court, they’re going to cram it down the memory hole.” more
The US attack on Venezuela relies on the same deception that justified the war in Iraq: the idea of self-financing wars with oil. more
“This is militarized authoritarianism,” said one advocacy group. “We must act to stop it now, before it spreads to enflame the entire region, if not the entire globe, in a dangerous, unnecessary conflict.” more
The Trump administration’s military assault on Venezuela and apparent abduction of the country’s president in the early hours of Saturday morning sparked immediate backlash from leaders in Latin America and across the globe, with lawmakers, activists, and experts accusing the US of launching yet another illegal war of aggression. more
The US president said American fossil fuel companies will “go in and spend billions of dollars” in Venezuela, which has the largest known oil reserves in the world. more
“Trump has no right to take us to war with Venezuela. This is reckless and illegal,” said Rep. Greg Casar. “Congress should vote immediately on a War Powers Resolution to stop him.” more
One expert called the reported drone strike a “violation of Article 2(4) of the UN Charter and the Take Care Clause of the Constitution.” more
Administration officials have yet to provide any details about the supposed strike, which would mark a massive escalation in the president’s lawless military campaign. more
Ottawa should break its silence now and speak out against the unlawful attacks and extrajudicial killings of civilians by US military forces in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific. more
“Economic strangulation is warfare and civilians always pay the price,” lamented CodePink. more
A military spokesperson refused to comment on what the admiral told Congress beyond confirming that “he did inform them that during the strike he sought advice from his lawyer and then made a decision.” more
