Lawmakers across the region have released statements on Saturday responding to the U.S. operation ordered by President Donald Trump that resulted in the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.
Washington Senator Maria Cantwell raised concerns in a statement made on Facebook about the future of Venezuela following the operation.
“President Trump’s actions today with Venezuela raise more questions than answers,” Cantwell said. “Is America going to be involved in running and stabilizing Venezuela? Today’s actions raise many questions about the stability of the region and our policy towards South America.”
Washington Senator Patty Murray criticized President Trump’s decision to order the operation, asserting that it was conducted without regard for the interests of U.S. citizens.
“It is outrageous for a President who is tanking our economy here at home to suggest that the American taxpayer spend a fortune to ‘run’ another country while doing nothing to make life better in America. I opposed the war in Iraq from the outset—and the parallels here are glaring,” Murray stated.
Senator Murray further emphasized the possible ramifications of this operation and how they could pose risks for the public.
“The American people didn’t ask to start a war with Venezuela. They didn’t ask for an indefinite and costly occupation of another country and they didn’t ask for ‘boots on the ground,’ their sons and daughters put in harm’s way. All they asked for were lower prices at the grocery store.” Murray said. “What the President has done is unconstitutional, reckless, and will have far-reaching effects well beyond last night’s strikes.”
Washington Representative Michael Baumgartner expressed support for the operation in Venezuela and the Trump administration through multiple statements made via X.
“Today is a great day for the people of Venezuela and the security of America and the Western Hemisphere,” Baumgartner said. “Venezuelan dictator Maduro is a dangerous narco-terrorist who is now where he belongs – in a jail cell.”
Later on Saturday morning, Baumgartner applauded President Trump and “his National security team” for their various actions during Trump’s second term in office. Baumgartner also claimed that the recent operation will have a positive impact on the global economy by “bringing Venezuelan oil back online.”
Idaho Representative Mike Simpson voiced his support via Facebook for the capture of Nicolás Maduro and military personnel involved in the operation.
“Narcoterrorist Nicolas Maduro is no friend to the United States. Our country is now safer thanks to President Trump’s decisive action in carrying out a successful military operation,” Simpson stated. “The Maduro regime bears responsibility for flooding American communities with deadly drugs and dangerous cartel members, resulting in the deaths of hundreds of thousands of American citizens. God bless our brave military members who led this heroic operation.”
Montana Senator Steve Daines expressed similar support for the operation with a post on X.
