🔗 Share this article Democratic Lawmakers Condemn Raid on Venezuela as GOP Backs the President After Closed-Door Session. Top officials from the White House went to Capitol Hill to justify one of the boldest military operations in recent US history: the seizure of a current national leader from his own capital. Details of the Raid Disclosed to Lawmakers Key cabinet members, the nation's top lawyer, the CIA director, and the chair of the joint chiefs briefed all 100 U.S. senators on Operation Absolute Resolve, the swift strike that extracted the Venezuelan president, Nicolás Maduro, from his home in Caracas and brought him to a New York City jail cell. This session marked the first time the entire chamber heard details of the 3 January attack, which involved U.S. special forces swooping into 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 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 Erupts 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 simple arrest operation targeting an accused narcotics kingpin. Opposition party members warn of an illegal act of war 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 put in place to begin with.” Sequence of Events and Court Case In the pre-dawn operation, elite troops struck multiple targets across northern Venezuela, apprehended Maduro and Flores, ferried them to a U.S. Navy ship, flew them to a U.S. air base, and then delivered them to authorities in New York. Days later, Maduro stood in federal court entering a denial to charges including “narco-terrorism” conspiracy. Opposition Doubts and Citizen Concern One Democratic senator emerged from the closed-door session incredulous, stating the administration is “going to take the oil by force.” “This is an insane plan,” the lawmaker said. “They are talking about taking the nation's petroleum resources at gunpoint 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 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 too involved in Venezuela. Overall sentiment mirrors the political division 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 military presence, funding, and what guardrails are in place.” Uncertain Future and Global Criticism The question of what happens next 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 capacity of our military... but there is no answer about the future plan.” International condemnation has been swift. Numerous nations have censured the operation. At the United Nations, representatives from other major powers called for Maduro’s immediate release, while the U.S. justified the move as targeted law enforcement. Broader Strategic Focus Republican lawmakers are also turning their attention 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 maintained warships positioned off Venezuela’s coast and recently took control of Venezuela-linked oil tankers, signaling it has no intention to reduce its stance. “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 full display.”