This Wednesday (08), the American Senate approved the sending to the plenary of a proposal that seeks to restrict Donald Trump’s authority to order military operations in Venezuela.
The capture of Nicolás Maduro last Saturday (3), in a military operation that was not vetted by Congress, provoked an immediate reaction among parliamentarians from the Democratic opposition and also from part of the Republican Party. The episode raised tension in Washington and reignited the debate about the limits of the Executive’s role in military actions abroad.
Five Republican senators voted for the proposal to be brought to the plenary, resulting in a score of 52 votes in favor and 47 against. A vote on the merits of the text is scheduled for next week in the Senate.
Even if the proposal is approved by senators, its processing faces obstacles. There is a strong possibility of rejection in the House of Representatives, where Republicans also hold the majority.
If it passes this stage, the text would still need presidential sanction. Donald Trump, however, could veto the measure. The government argues that the actions carried out in Venezuela are specific operations and do not constitute a war, which, according to the Executive, would eliminate the need for prior authorization from Congress.
In response to the Senate’s action, Trump criticized Republican senators who voted alongside Democrats in a recent vote related to executive branch war powers. He stated that parliamentarians should never be re-elected, as, according to him, they weaken the country’s defensive capacity and national security:
“Republicans should be ashamed of the senators who voted with the Democrats in an attempt to strip us of the power to fight and defend the United States of America.” said the American.
In addition, he named some senators by name. For the president, the vote compromises the president’s authority as commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces.
“Susan Collins, Lisa Murkowski, Rand Paul, Josh Hawley and Todd Young should never be elected again. This vote gravely harms American self-defense and national security by impeding the president’s authority as commander in chief.” Trump said
Maduro remains arrested in NY
The Venezuelan dictator, after being caught with his wife, Cillia Flores, by the United States, was taken to New York for the start of his trial, where he is accused of 4 different crimes. The jury will continue on March 17th. During the period, he will be trapped in the American city.
