Salem, OR. — Oregon State Sen. James Manning issued a statement criticizing recent U.S. military action in Venezuela, raising concerns about constitutional authority, regional stability, and the stated rationale for the intervention.
In his remarks, Manning acknowledged that the removal of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro may be welcomed by some in Venezuela but argued that the justification for swift U.S. military involvement was insufficient. He questioned claims linking the operation to drug trafficking and instead suggested that access to Venezuela’s oil reserves was a central motivating factor.
Manning said the military action, which reportedly included strikes in Venezuela and the apprehension of Maduro, occurred without Congressional approval. He warned that such actions risk entangling the United States in prolonged conflict, drawing parallels to past U.S. military engagements in the Middle East.
The senator emphasized that he supports U.S. service members and noted reports indicating the mission was carried out without known U.S. casualties. However, he expressed concern about potential civilian casualties in Venezuela and said limited public discussion of those impacts was troubling.
Manning, who chairs the Oregon Senate Committee on Veterans, Emergency Management, Federal and World Affairs, said he stands with Oregon’s federal delegation in opposing what he described as unprecedented military action undertaken without authorization from Congress. He concluded by calling for peace, diplomacy, and adherence to constitutional processes while affirming support for members of the U.S. armed forces.
Full Statement:
Here we go again. While autocratic authoritarian Nicolas Maduro’s removal from power may be welcomed by some Venezuelan people, the reasons for swift U.S. military intervention are flimsy at best. Our military’s actions—without Congressional approval, mind you—sets the U.S. up for a quagmire eerily reminiscent of Iraq.
This isn’t about drugs magically running via speed boats from Venezuela to the United States, this is clearly about oil. With the control of billions of barrels of crude oil at stake, the bombing of the Venezuelan capital and apprehension of Maduro under the guise of Trump’s war on drugs destabilizes the region, sets an abhorrent precedent, and—yet again—sidesteps Congress.
To the President of the United States, it seems the Constitution is just a suggestion, a document to be ignored based on the whim of the occupant of the White House. As a soldier for life, I took an oath to uphold, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States. It saddens me as an American and alarms me as a lawmaker that the individual serving the highest office in the land seeks to thwart the Constitution potentially plunging our nation and service members into more endless wars for oil.
We’ve seen this gambit before. As the Chair of the Oregon Senate Committee on Veterans, Emergency Management, Federal and World Affairs, I stand firm with Oregon’s federal delegation who have strongly spoke out against the president’s unprecedented military actions with zero Congressional approval. And I support our troops, peace, and diplomacy.
I remain heartened that U.S. troops executed a successful mission with no/unknown casualties reported. However, the lack of conversation around the tragic and likely loss of life of civilian Venezuelans remains deeply disturbing.
Though this weekend’s military actions are legally questionable and most concerning, our brave service members should be supported. Their service and sacrifices are commendable, and they should not be used as pawns in a power play by an increasingly unpopular U.S. president angling to be a South American oil baron.
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These ASS HATS would rather have the drugs harming Americans, and China Iran and Russia STEALING the oil……..maybe the actual VENEZUELANS should profit from the oil? The demon Dems still want these poor people under the thumb of a NARCO TERRORIST and what about the RUSSIAN COLLUSION AND TRUMP IS PUTIN’S FRIEND……. DOESN’T LOOK THAT WAY TO YOUR VOTERS!!!!!!! Looks like you want these people victimized! DEMON DEMS ARE MAKING FOOLS OF THEMSELVES CONSTANTLY CONTRADICTING THEMSELVES……
I stand with my President, the drugs need to stop flowing into the United States. From China, Venezuela, Cuba, Africa and the People stealing Bilions of $ from the hard working people of the United States. Protect our military and our honest hard working people.