Some WA leaders applaud, others condemn US military operation in Venezuela
Expert weighs consequences after U.S. airstrikes, capture of Venezuela’s president
A Seattle University political science professor says the U.S. airstrikes in Venezuela and the capture of President Nicolás Maduro raise major questions about legality, governance and what comes next.
SEATTLE - In a major move from the Trump administration, United States military forces bombed areas near Venezuela's capital, Caracas, and captured the country's president and first lady. As President Maduro faces prosecution in America, some leaders around Washington are expressing their views on the controversial move.
Local leaders had a lot to say in the hours and days following the military operation. Michael Baumgartner said it was a great step for the security of the American people and the Western Hemisphere. This echos President Trump's speech yesterday where he mentioned American and Western Hemisphere security multiple times.
Baumgartner added that Venezuelans deserve much better than the Maduro regime.
Statement on United States military operation on Venezuela on Jan. 3, 2025 by Rep. Baumgartner
The other side:
Washington's Senator Maria Cantwell was less immediately approving of the move from the Trump administration. She said President Trump's actions with Venezuela raises more questions than answers. She also says the administration's recent actions in South America raises additional questions about the stability of the region.
Sen. Cantwell's statement on United States military operation on Venezuela on Jan. 3, 2025
United States Congresswoman Susan Delbene (WA-1) says President Trump's decision to invade Venezuela without consulting Congress does not make America safer. She went on to say that Trump has long said that these types of actions in Venezuela were about curbing drug trafficking into the United States.
However, Delbene says the events of Jan. 3 made clear that this is really about securing the country's oil and enacting a regime change.
Rep. DelBene's statement on United States military operation on Venezuela on Jan. 3, 2025
Meanwhile, Washington congresswoman, Pramila Jayapal, also spoke out yesterday, saying she is condemning the president's decisions on Venezuela. She acknowledged that Maduro was an illegitimate dictator, but noted that this alone does not give the Trump administration the right to enact regime change.
Jayapal then went on to call for Republicans in Congress to join Democrats in reasserting congressional authority on certain military acts.
Rep. Jayapal's Statement on United States military operation on Venezuela on Jan. 3, 2025
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