Venezuela Live: Trump to Share New Details After U.S. Strike

Table of Contents

Claims of U.S. Military Action in Venezuela

President Donald Trump made a surprising statement early Saturday, asserting that the United States "successfully carried out a large scale strike against Venezuela." He claimed that Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife were "captured and flown out of the country." This dramatic announcement came just hours after explosions were reported in the capital city of Caracas.

Trump indicated that more details about the U.S. operation would be shared during a news conference scheduled for 11 a.m. on Saturday. The situation has sparked significant interest and speculation, with many wondering about the nature and extent of the actions taken by the U.S. government.

Statements from Republican Officials

In the wake of the events, Republican Senator Mike Lee shared information that suggested Maduro had been arrested by U.S. personnel to stand trial in the United States. According to Lee, this arrest was part of a broader effort to bring Maduro to justice for criminal charges. He also mentioned that no further action was expected in Venezuela once Maduro was in U.S. custody.

Lee shared these details through a post on X, where he described a phone conversation with Secretary of State Marco Rubio. In the message, Lee stated that Rubio informed him that the kinetic action witnessed earlier was deployed to protect and defend those executing the arrest warrant.

He added that the action likely fell within the president’s inherent authority under Article II of the Constitution to protect U.S. personnel from an actual or imminent attack. This reference to constitutional authority raises important questions about the legal basis for such operations.

Concerns About Congressional Authorization

Earlier in the day, Lee had expressed concerns about the actions being taken without congressional authorization. He posted on X, stating:

"I look forward to learning what, if anything, might constitutionally justify this action in the absence of a declaration of war or authorization for the use of military force."

This statement highlights the ongoing debate about the balance between executive power and the need for legislative oversight in matters of national security and foreign policy.

Ongoing Developments

As the situation unfolds, there is a growing demand for transparency and clarity regarding the U.S. involvement in Venezuela. The statements from officials like Lee and the claims made by Trump suggest that the U.S. is taking a more active role in the region. However, the lack of detailed information and the potential implications of such actions remain topics of concern.

The coming days will likely bring more updates as the public and policymakers seek to understand the full scope of the events and their consequences. The situation underscores the complex interplay between international relations, military operations, and constitutional law.