The top Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee said Monday’s briefing from Trump administration officials about Operation Absolute Resolve, the U.S. raid that toppled Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro, offered few details about what comes next.
Sen. Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire said the briefing outlined in detail a “highly precise military operation” that resulted in Mr. Maduro’s capture inside his compound.
“I thank our troops and intelligence community for their brave service and sacrifice,” Ms. Shaheen said Tuesday in a statement. “What now must happen — and what the briefing lacked — is a clear, well-informed diplomatic roadmap with benchmarks for Venezuela to meet, clear timelines, and the right tools to help develop and transition Venezuela following this military option.”
Ms. Shaheen said she was concerned the U.S. has merely replaced one authoritarian leader, Mr. Maduro, with another “illegitimate authoritarian leader” who has served alongside him as part of his repressive regime.
Venezuela’s vice president, Delcy Rodriguez, was formally sworn in on Monday as the country’s interim president while Mr. Maduro was appearing in a New York court on drug charges.
“America’s credibility is at stake, and our country will rise or fall depending on whether we turn this moment into an opportunity for democracy worldwide or a payday for corrupt autocrats,” Ms. Shaheen said.
She accused Mr. Trump of losing his focus on lowering the cost of living in the U.S., along with other pocketbook concerns of the American people.
“The onus is on President Trump to explain to the American people what is truly going on in our own hemisphere and how he intends to keep our nation safe and secure,” Ms. Shaheen said.
