Trump’s Venezuela strategy draws Congressional attention while Maduro is in prison

Ahead of a Senate briefing on the operation to capture Maduro, Democratic lawmakers on Tuesday questioned the Trump administration’s Venezuela strategy and pressed for more details, while most Republicans praised the operation.

Some Democratic senators have indicated they are considering push for a vote on war powers this week to block any further military action in Venezuela. Republican Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky, a long-time skeptic of military interventions, is expected to join them. The House and Senate held similar votes in recent months, but all failed.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, a New York Democrat, was unimpressed by an earlier briefing with congressional leaders on Monday, telling reporters that administration officials “have no idea what steps 2 through 10 will be.”

Other Democrats questioned the legality of the operation and criticized Mr. Trump’s focus on Venezuelan oil or his suggestion that he would “run” Venezuela.

“If Donald Trump wants to lead a country, he should think about leading the United States of America,” said Democratic Sen. Tammy Duckworth of Illinois.

Republicans largely supported the president, arguing that the military operation was legal and justified. Most also expressed confidence in Mr. Trump’s strategy.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune, a Republican from South Dakota, told reporters that he was confident there was a plan for how the United States would operate in Venezuela, but that “the next few days are going to be crucial” in assessing the “government structure” and “how willing they are to work with the United States.”

Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina said, “We are in charge of Venezuela.”

“For those who say we’re going to show up and occupy Venezuela, that’s not the case,” Graham added. “We will rebuild the country – we are managing it for now.”