Veterans’ organizations are raising concerns regarding the United States’ recent military maneuvers near Venezuela.
On October 31, former New York Representative Max Rose, currently a senior advisor to VoteVets, emphasized, “Let’s be very clear: this is unconstitutional. If the United States is going to go to war, it requires Congress’ approval.”
Since August, the U.S. government has destroyed 20 fishing boats in the Caribbean Sea, accusing them of drug trafficking from Venezuela. No concrete evidence supporting these claims has been presented. The attacks have resulted in the deaths of at least 79 individuals from Venezuela, Colombia, and Trinidad and Tobago.
Currently, U.S. naval forces, including warships and an aircraft carrier, are positioned around Venezuela, prompting the Venezuelan military to prepare for a potential invasion.
Rose further stated, “We have to put our foot down, not only in objection to this decision, but to the steps this administration is taking to put us on the road to yet another forever war.”
Despite President Donald Trump’s campaign promises to end foreign conflicts, his administration has initiated airstrikes on Iran and has been unsuccessful in mediating between Russia and Ukraine. A ceasefire between Israel and Hamas remains unstable, having been negotiated but faltered multiple times, as reported by Politico.
On November 6, Senate Democrats proposed a resolution to prevent further U.S. military action in Venezuela. However, the effort was largely defeated by Republican senators.
Jose Vasquez, executive director of the veterans’ rights group Common Defense, expressed discontent with the Senate’s decision, stating, “The failure by the Senate to block his unauthorized military actions is a disservice to the rule of law. In our democracy, no president should have the power to start a war on his own.”
Illinois Senator Tammy Duckworth, a former Army National Guard member injured in the Iraq War, echoed similar views.
Duckworth remarked, “If Trump believes war is necessary, he must bring his case to Congress and prove why it’s worth turning more moms and dads into Gold Star parents. Let Congress debate. Let us vote. It’s our duty.”
The legality of the attacks on fishing vessels remains uncertain, even if Congress were to authorize military intervention. The Posse Comitatus Act of 1878 restricts the military from performing most law enforcement duties, though it allows certain drug enforcement actions such as monitoring and intercepting narcotics.
Yale Law School professor Oona Hathaway commented to CNN, “The decision to blow up the boat and kill everyone on board when interdiction and detention was a clearly available option is manifestly illegal and immoral.”
The potential political fallout of a Venezuelan invasion is significant. A YouGov poll shows that 62% of American voters oppose military intervention in Venezuela, with 22% undecided. Among independents, 63% disapprove.
Disguising the largest military buildup in decades off Venezuela as a “counternarcotics” mission doesn’t hide the truth,” claimed VoteVets in a recent social media post, concluding with the hashtag
NoDepartmentOfForeverWar
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