Daijiworld Media Network - Washington

Washington, Jan 7: A senior Democratic lawmaker has raised sharp concerns over the legality and long-term implications of the US operation that led to the capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, warning that it bypassed Congress and could undermine international norms.

Senator Mark Warner, who chairs the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, commended the US military for carrying out the mission without any American casualties and described the operation itself as highly professional. He reiterated that Maduro is an authoritarian figure rejected by Venezuelan voters in the 2024 elections and said he should ultimately face justice in the United States.

However, Warner said the process through which the operation was authorised was deeply troubling. He revealed that Congress was not consulted in advance and that Secretary of State Marco Rubio attempted to brief him only after the mission was already underway — a move he said breaks with established constitutional practice.

“The Constitution clearly assigns Congress the authority to declare war,” Warner said, stressing that even highly classified military actions are traditionally discussed with congressional leadership beforehand.

He dismissed the administration’s claim that the operation was merely the execution of an arrest warrant, arguing that the scale of the mission told a very different story. “You don’t deploy Delta Force, launch 150 aircraft, or maintain a naval armada for months just to serve a warrant,” he said, calling the justification implausible.

Warner warned that the rationale used to justify Maduro’s seizure could be exploited by other countries to legitimise similar actions. He pointed to hypothetical scenarios involving Russia and Ukraine or China and Taiwan, cautioning that such logic could erode the foundations of international order.

“If every country starts claiming the right to seize foreign leaders under its own laws, global stability collapses,” he said.

The senator also questioned the administration’s stated motivations, suggesting the operation appeared more closely tied to Venezuela’s oil resources than to counter-narcotics efforts. He expressed concern over reports that US troops could be deployed on the ground to secure energy infrastructure, drawing parallels with the Iraq war and its unmet promises of oil-funded reconstruction.

According to Warner, Venezuela’s oil sector has suffered severe damage and would require years to recover, raising fears of prolonged US involvement. He further criticised the administration for seemingly marginalising Venezuela’s democratic opposition, including prominent leader María Corina Machado, while engaging interim authorities viewed as aligned with Maduro.

Despite his objections, Warner maintained that Maduro should be held accountable. “He’s responsible for the collapse of his country and should face trial,” he said, adding that justice must be pursued within constitutional boundaries.

“Our military carried out its mission,” Warner concluded. “Now it’s time for the administration to provide clear answers and uphold the rule of law.”