US Congress divided over Venezuela intervention after Rubio briefing

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio briefed members of Congress on Monday (January 5) regarding the U.S. military intervention in Venezuela, prompting a divided response from lawmakers on Capitol Hill.

AI Brief

Schumer criticises the administration's Venezuela strategy as unclear and warns regime change often harms US interests.
House Speaker Johnson calls Maduro's detention a victory, denies US occupation, and says elections will follow.
Maduro and wife plead not guilty in Manhattan court, and next hearing set for March 17.

Speaking after the briefing, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer criticized the administration's plans, calling them "vague" and "unsatisfying." "When the United States engages in this kind of regime change and so-called nation-building, it always ends up hurting the United States," Schumer said.

House Speaker Mike Johnson defended the operation, citing the detention of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro as a victory.

"Nicholas Maduro is responsible for the deaths of untold thousands of Americans… Under President Trump, the United States will no longer allow criminal regimes to profit from wreaking havoc on our country," he said.

Johnson also addressed compliance with the War Powers Act, asserting that the mission did not constitute an act of war.

"We do not have U.S. armed forces in Venezuela, and we are not occupying that country," Johnson said, adding that the interim government will soon organize elections to stabilize Venezuela.

Republican Representative Brian Mast of Florida praised the intervention as a necessary move to protect the United States from threats posed by foreign adversaries operating in Venezuela.

Maduro, 63, denied all charges during his Manhattan court appearance, telling the judge through an interpreter, “I am innocent. I am not guilty. I am a decent man. I am still president of my country.” His wife, Cilia Flores, also pleaded not guilty. Their next court date was set for March 17.