Senator Markey Statement on U.S. Military Attack on Venezuela and the Kidnapping of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro

Watch: Senator Markey opposes Trump administration actions in Venezuela

Washington (January 3, 2026) - Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) released the following statement today after the Trump administration launched an illegal strike on Venezuela and kidnapped Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores.

"The Trump administration has been lying to Congress and the American people while carrying out illegal attacks on dozens of Venezuelan boats, seizing oil tankers, and now, conducting a large-scale land strike. This is what dictators do. Make no mistake: this is an unconstitutional and reckless act of war. Trump had no approval from Congress. This attack is unjustified and unauthorized.

"We've seen this movie before. Trump's already failed to manage the American economy, yet he wants to manage Venezuela and its oil infrastructure. And now, Trump broke Venezuela and says he will fix it. This was all about regime change and all about oil. This has nothing to do with our security and everything to do with Trump's desire to rule with an iron fist. This is not America First - this is Authoritarianism First.

"We've seen what happens when we destabilize countries on behalf of American fossil fuel CEOs: they profit, our servicemembers get hurt or die, and regions collapse. We are falling into the patterns of the past that put lives and economies in danger. How do we prevent a civil war from erupting like it did in Iraq? Trump has started another endless war, and we cannot stand idly by. This is not an act of peace - it's an act of war. Republicans must stand up and denounce his illegal, reckless, and dangerous acts.

Senator Markey has been outspoken in his opposition to U.S. military action in Venezuela. In November, Senator Markey supportedSenator Tim Kaine's (D-Va.) War Powers Resolution that would have blocked Donald Trump from authorizing military strikes on Venezuela. Republicans voted down the resolution.

###

• Print
• Email
• Like
• Tweet