WASHINGTON: The US operation to seize Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro was carried out without required congressional consultation and could set a dangerous precedent, a powerful Democratic senator said, even as he praised the military for completing the mission without American casualties.
Senator Mark Warner, chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, said US forces performed “brilliantly” in extracting Maduro from his residence and bringing him into US custody. Warner described Maduro as a repressive leader and said the Venezuelan people had overwhelmingly voted against him in 2024.
But Warner, who is also co-chair of the Senate India Caucus, told reporters here that the way the operation was authorized and explained raised serious constitutional and strategic concerns.
He said Congress was not consulted before the raid and that Secretary of State Marco Rubio attempted to reach him only after the operation had already begun. Warner said that runs counter to long-standing practice, particularly for actions involving the use of military force.