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Senator Lindsey Graham has issued a stark warning that U.S. military operations near Venezuela must ultimately result in the removal of President Nicolás Maduro from power, calling any other outcome “a fatal mistake to our standing in the world.”
“If after all this, we still leave this guy in power… that’s the worst possible signal you can send to Russia, China, Iran,” the South Carolina Republican told reporters following a classified briefing for senators with War Secretary Pete Hegseth and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
The briefing, described by Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut as “absent of specificity and detail” that left “more questions than answers,” failed to clarify whether recent U.S. naval strikes against narcotics trafficking in Caribbean waters would escalate into direct military action against Venezuela itself.
Graham expressed frustration at the lack of clarity regarding the administration’s ultimate goals. “I want to reassert, again, you cannot allow this man to be standing after this display of force, and I did not get a very good answer as to what happens,” he said. “What I want is some clarity going forward. Is that in fact the goal?… If it’s not the goal, it is a huge mistake.”
The U.S. has positioned a significant naval presence in the region, with Trump administration officials confirming that 15% of all American naval assets are now deployed in the Southern Command theater – representing the largest military buildup in the region in decades.
Representative Don Bacon, a Nebraska Republican, said briefers described “a very good process of determining if something’s a target or not” before striking narco-trafficking boats but provided little information about broader strategy toward the Maduro regime. “Right now the focus has been on the boats,” Bacon said. “I don’t know what we’re doing yet with Venezuela writ large.”
Democrats expressed concern about the scale of military deployment without clear congressional authorization. Representative Gregory Meeks of New York called the briefing “an exercise in futility” that provided “no real rational decision or real answers” about whether the U.S. is preparing for “a war in Venezuela.” Meeks indicated he plans to introduce legislation addressing the recent military strikes and any potential U.S. action against Venezuela directly.
Secretary Rubio characterized the mission as “focused on dismantling the infrastructure of these terrorist organizations that are operating in our hemisphere, undermining the security of Americans, killing Americans, poisoning Americans.”
Meanwhile, Hegseth confirmed that the War Department would not release video footage of the September 2 narco-strikes to the public, in which Admiral Frank Bradley reportedly ordered a “double tap” strike that killed survivors. The video will instead be shown only to members of the House and Senate Armed Services Committees.
Graham dismissed concerns about the footage as “the least of my concerns” but urged its release to allow Americans to “make your own decisions.” He also cited historical precedents for U.S. military intervention in the region, specifically referencing Panama in 1989 and Haiti.
“We have legal authority, in my view, to do in Venezuela what we did regarding Panama and Haiti,” Graham said, noting that the U.S. “literally invaded Panama… took the president in power and put him in jail.”
The senator expressed his belief that President Trump intends to achieve a comparable outcome. “Every indication by President Trump is that the purpose of this operation is to shut down the (Maduro) regime and replace it with something less threatening to the United States,” he said. When asked whether he meant regime change or lethal force, Graham replied: “I don’t care as long as he leaves.”
The public now awaits indications of whether the Trump administration will escalate to direct strikes on Venezuelan territory as a means of pressuring Maduro to relinquish power – a step Graham argues is necessary for the operation to succeed.
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7 Comments
This is a delicate geopolitical situation with high stakes. I can understand the frustration over lack of clarity on the administration’s goals, but military action should be an absolute last resort. Diplomacy, economic pressure, and supporting the democratic opposition may be wiser courses of action.
Senator Graham’s comments suggest a desire for decisive action, but military force should be an absolute last resort. The administration needs to carefully weigh the potential consequences and explore all diplomatic avenues before considering more aggressive options in Venezuela.
Interesting to see Senator Graham’s strong stance on removing Maduro. The US military presence is certainly escalating tensions, but I’m not sure if direct intervention is the best path forward. Diplomatic solutions should be explored further before considering more aggressive options.
The situation in Venezuela is certainly complex, with high stakes for the US and regional security. Maduro’s continued grip on power could embolden US adversaries, but military action would also carry major risks. I hope the administration has a well-thought-out strategy to resolve this crisis peacefully if possible.
Graham’s warning about the message sent to US adversaries if Maduro remains in power is concerning. However, the senator’s demand for a specific military outcome raises questions about the administration’s overall strategy and potential unintended consequences. A carefully considered, multilateral approach would be prudent.
Escalating tensions in Venezuela are worrying, but a rash military intervention could make the situation even worse. I hope the administration is exploring all diplomatic and economic options to resolve this crisis before resorting to force. The stability of the region hangs in the balance.
The dynamics in Venezuela are highly complex, with significant geopolitical implications. While Maduro’s continued rule is problematic, a US military operation could backfire and empower America’s rivals. I hope the administration is weighing all the risks and pursuing a well-coordinated, multilateral approach.