Kelly Statement on Venezuela Strikes and Arrest of Nicolás Maduro

Today, Arizona Senator and former U.S. Navy combat pilot Mark Kelly released the following statement on the overnight U.S. strikes on Venezuela and arrest of President Nicolás Maduro:

"The President of the United States just overthrew a foreign ruler and explained to the American people that this is about taking control of the oil reserves of a foreign nation. He said that the U.S. will "run the country" until a proper transition can take place and went right into how U.S. oil companies will benefit from this takeover. He doesn't understand the risks and costs involved with these poorly thought-out decisions that don't make Americans any safer today than they were yesterday.

"Nicolás Maduro is a brutal, illegitimate dictator who deserves to face justice. I want the people of Venezuela to be free to choose their own future, but if we learned anything from the Iraq war, it's that dropping bombs or toppling a leader doesn't guarantee democracy, stability, or make Americans safer. More often, it leads to chaos or drags the U.S. into a war and lengthy occupation. I don't trust that this administration has a plan, timeline, or price tag for what comes next.

"Over the past year, Trump's foreign policy has been reckless, chaotic, self-serving, and unconstitutional. Congress should vote this week to reassert its authority on behalf of the American people before he oversteps again. I also want to recognize the professionalism and skill of the American service members involved in this operation. While I don't agree with the administration's justification for this, I'm thankful that no service members were killed or seriously injured."