🔗 Share this article Democrats Decry Raid on Venezuela as GOP Backs the President Following Closed-Door Session. Senior leaders 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. Details of the Raid Revealed to Senators The secretaries of state and defense, the nation's top lawyer, the intelligence chief, and the chair of the joint chiefs briefed all 100 U.S. senators on the mission, the swift strike that extracted the Venezuelan president, Nicolás Maduro, from his home in Caracas and brought 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 in the pre-dawn hours to seize 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, 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 Emerges in Washington Apart from petroleum, the operation has divided the capital along predictable lines. GOP lawmakers have rallied behind the characterization of the raid as a straightforward law enforcement action targeting an accused narcotics kingpin. Opposition party members warn of an illegal act of war that could plunge Venezuela into chaos and set a dangerous precedent for unilateral presidential action. “What we did is we took out an illegitimate president,” one Republican senator said. “He was never duly elected, 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 struck multiple targets across northern Venezuela, apprehended Maduro and Flores, ferried them to a naval vessel, airlifted them to a U.S. air base, and then delivered them to authorities in New York. Days later, Maduro stood in federal court pleading not guilty 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 by force.” “This is an reckless scheme,” the lawmaker said. “They are talking about stealing Venezuelan oil at gunpoint for an undefined period as a bargaining chip to control the nation's affairs.” The senator added that they “heard no comprehensive strategy” for ensuring Venezuela’s future stability. This criticism reflects wider citizen anxiety. Polls indicate a significant portion of the public believe the operation should have required congressional approval. Separate surveys found roughly three-quarters express concern the U.S. will become too involved in Venezuela. Overall sentiment mirrors the partisan split on Capitol Hill. “Across America, people are just saying what the hell is going on?” a senior Democratic leader stated. “We need answers as to how long this is going to last. 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 unclear. Leadership has stated the U.S. would “manage” the country for an indeterminate time. “The reality is the entire previous government structure is still intact,” one analyst noted. “Everyone is in awe of the capability of our military... but there is no answer 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. justified the move as a precise police action. Broader Strategic Focus 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 seized 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 promote our national goals, and that is on full display.”