Lawmakers from the Tri-State area are expressing their views following recent U.S. military strikes in Venezuela, which resulted in the capture of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores. The U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi indicated that the couple would soon face serious charges, including “narco-terrorism conspiracy” and “cocaine importation conspiracy,” in New York courts.
In the wake of the strikes, Bondi stated, “Maduro and Flores will soon face the full wrath of American justice on American soil in American courts.” Sources have reported that Maduro is being transported to New York for prosecution.
Rep. Yvette D. Clarke (D-NY) took to social media to condemn the military actions. She argued that the Trump administration conducted a “large scale military attack on a sovereign nation and kidnapped its sitting president, without Congressional approval.” Clarke described the actions as unconstitutional and a direct threat to democracy, emphasizing the need for adherence to the rule of law.
In contrast, Rep. Mike Lawler (R-NY) expressed support for the administration’s decision, labeling Maduro a “narco-terrorist” responsible for numerous American deaths. Lawler asserted that President Trump has altered the course of history by addressing the influx of drugs into the United States, claiming that this operation has made the nation safer.
The debate continued with Rep. Ritchie Torres (D-NY) criticizing the unilateral military action. He stated, “The U.S. Constitution vests the power to declare war in Congress. No single individual has the authority to commit the nation to a war of regime change without congressional authorization.” Torres warned that such actions could lead to more instability and urged for the rule of law to be upheld.
Senator Andy Kim (D-NJ) voiced concerns regarding the implications of the strikes, pointing out that officials previously assured Congress that the operation was not aimed at regime change. He stated, “Trump rejected our Constitutionally required approval process for armed conflict because the Administration knows the American people overwhelmingly reject risks pulling our nation into another war.” Kim cautioned that this action sends a troubling message to global leaders and could further isolate the U.S. on the world stage.
As reactions from local lawmakers continue to emerge, the implications of the U.S. strikes and the capture of Maduro remain a contentious topic in the political landscape. Additional updates are expected as the situation develops.
