A senior US lawmaker, Rep. Melanie Stansbury, has openly criticised the United States’ military action in Venezuela, describing it as illegal and unconstitutional.
Stansbury, who represents New Mexico’s 1st Congressional District, reacted after President Donald Trump announced that Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife were captured in the early hours of Saturday and flown out of the country. Trump confirmed that US forces carried out a “large-scale strike,” as explosions were reported in Caracas and other parts of Venezuela.
However, the congresswoman said such an operation should never have been carried out without the approval of the US Congress. In a strongly worded post on X, Stansbury accused the White House of overstepping its constitutional powers.
“The White House is confirming U.S. military operations in Venezuela tonight. Let us be clear: these strikes are illegal,” she wrote.
“The President does not have the authority to declare war or undertake large-scale military operations without Congress. Congress must act to rein him in. Immediately.”
Her comments have added to the growing controversy surrounding the US action in Venezuela, which has already drawn international condemnation and raised serious questions about the legality of the operation under both US and international law.
As reactions continue to pour in, the debate is shifting beyond Venezuela, with renewed scrutiny on presidential war powers and the role of Congress in approving military actions.
