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Democrats Voice Support for Anti-Trafficking Strikes While Criticizing Biden’s Venezuela Policy
Top Democrats expressed confidence in the intelligence behind recent U.S. missile strikes targeting suspected narco-trafficking vessels near Venezuela, following a classified briefing on Capitol Hill Wednesday. However, several voiced criticism over the Biden administration’s handling of Venezuela’s disputed 2024 election.
During the closed-door session, the Office of Legal Counsel presented lawmakers with written justification for the maritime campaign, which U.S. officials say has killed 63 suspected traffickers in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific. Legislators from both parties indicated the briefing alleviated concerns about target legitimacy, though questions about broader strategy remain.
“The final comment I’ll make is just that nothing in the legal opinion even mentions Venezuela,” said Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.), the top Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee. Warner added that while he trusted U.S. intelligence assessments on drug trafficking visibility, he would prefer traffickers be “interdicted and taken to court rather than blown up.”
Secretary of State Marco Rubio, War Secretary Pete Hegseth, and senior Pentagon lawyers led the briefing for congressional leadership and committee chairs. The meeting came after days of complaints from lawmakers about being left uninformed as the Pentagon conducted multiple strikes without prior congressional consultation.
Rep. Jim Himes (D-Conn.), ranking member on the House Intelligence Committee, expressed confidence in the targeting process while acknowledging inherent risks. “Lots of mistakes could get made,” Himes said. “But again, they are applying the eyes and ears of our intelligence community to these boats. I don’t worry too much that there will be a strike on a fishing boat or a pleasure boat — but that’s always possible.”
Himes noted that while officials described “the process by which these boats are selected,” they did not share photographs or identities of those killed in the operations.
House Speaker Mike Johnson offered strong support for the operations, stating, “We have exquisite intelligence about these strikes on these vessels. We know the contents of the boats. We know the personnel almost to a person.”
Officials assured lawmakers there were no plans to expand the maritime campaign to land operations or to directly target Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. Reports suggesting potential strikes on Mexico did not feature prominently in the briefing, which lawmakers said centered almost exclusively on cocaine trafficking through Venezuela rather than fentanyl originating from Mexico.
“It’s as described — to stop the flow of drugs, and to be clear, to stop the flow of cocaine,” Himes emphasized.
Despite supporting the anti-trafficking operations, several Democrats criticized the Biden administration for missing a critical opportunity following Venezuela’s contested election last year. Independent monitors and several Western governments recognized opposition candidate Edmundo González as the rightful winner over Maduro.
“I frankly think the Biden administration didn’t go far enough after the Venezuelan people voted overwhelmingly to get rid of Maduro,” Warner said. “We missed a huge opportunity when Venezuelans — in numbers probably in the mid-sixties percent — came out against Maduro, even under threat of violence. The fact that we didn’t rally the region at that point was, in retrospect, a huge mistake.”
After the July 2024 vote, the Biden administration imposed sanctions on high-level Maduro officials but stopped short of reimposing broad restrictions on Venezuela’s oil sector. Administration officials reportedly believed such measures could have driven up global fuel prices and worsened migration pressures.
The Trump administration has taken a more aggressive stance toward the Maduro regime. During Trump’s first term, his administration imposed sweeping sanctions on Venezuela, and has recently increased pressure on the South American leader. The Justice Department has offered a $50 million bounty for information leading to Maduro’s arrest.
In a recent CBS interview, when asked whether Maduro’s days in power were numbered, President Trump responded, “I would say yeah. I think so.” However, when pressed on potential military conflict with Venezuela, Trump downplayed the possibility, stating, “I doubt it. I don’t think so.”
The maritime anti-trafficking campaign represents a significant escalation in U.S. operations in the region, occurring against the backdrop of Venezuela’s ongoing political crisis and increasing tensions between Washington and Caracas.
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14 Comments
It’s positive to see bipartisan agreement on the importance of using intelligence to combat drug trafficking. However, the continued disagreement over Venezuela policy underscores the broader political divisions.
Absolutely. Finding common ground on specific issues like this while navigating the broader geopolitical landscape will be an ongoing challenge for policymakers.
The intelligence briefing appears to have addressed some lawmakers’ initial concerns, but the broader policy debate on Venezuela remains unresolved. Balancing multiple priorities will be crucial for the administration.
Exactly. Navigating these complex geopolitical issues requires nuance, diplomacy, and a willingness to consider different perspectives.
The preference for interdiction and prosecution over lethal force is a valid concern. While the strikes may be effective in the short term, the long-term goal should be to dismantle trafficking networks through the justice system.
Well said. A comprehensive strategy that emphasizes rule of law and international cooperation will likely be more sustainable in the long run.
Interesting development on the anti-drug trafficking operations. It’s good to see bipartisan support for using intelligence to target suspected traffickers, though the concerns about strategy and interdiction vs. lethal force are understandable.
Agreed. The focus should be on disrupting trafficking networks and bringing perpetrators to justice, not just military action.
This highlights the complex geopolitical dynamics at play. While the anti-trafficking efforts are important, the Biden administration’s Venezuela policy remains a point of contention. A nuanced approach balancing multiple priorities is needed.
Absolutely. Maintaining pressure on drug trafficking while also navigating the Venezuela situation will require careful diplomacy and a clear strategic vision.
The legal justification for these strikes is an interesting point of discussion. Ensuring proper oversight and accountability is crucial, even as we support efforts to disrupt the drug trade.
Good observation. Transparency around the legal basis and targeting criteria will be important for building public trust in these operations.
This is a complex issue with valid arguments on different sides. Maintaining a focus on disrupting drug trafficking networks while also addressing the broader political dynamics in the region will be an ongoing challenge.
Well said. A multifaceted approach that combines targeted enforcement, diplomatic engagement, and a commitment to the rule of law will be crucial.