### U.S. Military Operations in Venezuela: A New Chapter in Foreign Policy - Recent developments in Venezuela have raised significant concerns regarding U.S. military involvement and foreign policy direction under President Donald Trump. Following a classified briefing led by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Republican leaders expressed support for the military operation that resulted in the ousting of President Nicolás Maduro. However, there are apprehensions among Democrats about the implications of this intervention, particularly regarding potential U.S. expansionism without adequate congressional oversight [https://apnews.com/article/venezuela-maduro-government-delcy-rodriguez-trump-be4ef9ce2a28dbb43]. ### Structure of the Current Situation and Congressional Response 1. **Briefing Overview**: Secretary of State Marco Rubio and other officials provided a detailed briefing to congressional leaders about the military operation in Venezuela, emphasizing the limited scope of U.S. involvement [https://www.newsday.com/news/nation/venezuela-maduro-government-delcy-rodriguez-trump-e82891]. 2. **Republican Stance**: Republican leaders, including House Speaker Mike Johnson, have stated that there are no plans for U.S. troops to be deployed in Venezuela, asserting that the U.S. is not engaging in nation-building or occupation [https://www.straitstimes.com/world/us-republicans-insist-no-endless-war-looms-in-venezuela]. 3. **Democratic Concerns**: In contrast, Democratic lawmakers have expressed skepticism and raised questions about the administration's strategy and the potential for a prolonged military presence [https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jan/05/venezuela-mike-johnson-speaker-congress-briefing]. 4. **Legislative Actions**: A war powers resolution is anticipated to be voted on in the Senate, aimed at restricting military action in Venezuela without congressional approval [https://indianexpress.com/article/world/marco-rubio-and-hegseth-brief-us-lawmakers-as-questions-grow-over-next-steps-in-venezuela-10457663]. ### Evidence and Data Supporting the Current Narrative - **Military Operations**: The U.S. military operation that led to Maduro's removal has been characterized as a decisive action, but Republican lawmakers have reiterated that it will not escalate into an "endless war" [https://newsukraine.rbc.ua/news/not-endless-war-us-republicans-reject-long-term-occupation-in-venezuela-1672931471]. - **Public Statements**: House Speaker Mike Johnson emphasized that "we do not have U.S. armed forces in Venezuela, and we are not occupying that country," reflecting a unified Republican front against the notion of a prolonged military engagement [https://www.bairdmaritime.com/security/us-republicans-confirm-no-endless-war-looms-in-venezuela]. ### Conclusion: Navigating a Complex Foreign Policy Landscape - **Key Findings**: 1. The U.S. has initiated military operations in Venezuela, resulting in the ousting of Nicolás Maduro, but there is a clear Republican commitment to avoid long-term military engagement. 2. Democratic lawmakers are increasingly concerned about the implications of these actions and the lack of congressional consultation. 3. Legislative measures are being considered to ensure that any military action in Venezuela requires congressional approval, reflecting a push for checks and balances in U.S. foreign policy. - **Overall Implication**: The situation in Venezuela represents a critical juncture for U.S. foreign policy, balancing military intervention with the need for legislative oversight and international law considerations [https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/politics/3750807-venezuelas-tumult-trump-politics-and-military-maneuvers].