U.S. Senate stops resolution to block strike on Venezuela

U.S. Senate stops resolution to block strike on Venezuela
A general view of the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., U.S., 21 March, 2025
Reuters

U.S. Senate Republicans have blocked a resolution that would have barred President Donald Trump from launching military action against Venezuela without congressional approval, despite growing concern over recent U.S. strikes in the southern Caribbean.

The Senate voted 51 to 49, largely along party lines, against moving forward with the war powers resolution.

Only two Republicans broke ranks to join Democrats in supporting the measure, the latest test of the party’s willingness to back Trump’s expanding military operations near Venezuela.

According to administration officials, U.S. forces have carried out at least 16 strikes against vessels in the Pacific and southern Caribbean since early September, killing more than 65 people.

The surge in attacks has raised fears that Trump may authorise a direct strike on Venezuelan territory — a concern that led to the bipartisan resolution, co-sponsored by Democrats Tim Kaine and Adam Schiff and Republican Rand Paul.

Officials told lawmakers this week that Washington currently has no plans to target Venezuelan soil.

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