US Congress rejects initiatives opposing military action in Caribbean
Illustrative photo: US Congress (Getty Images)
The US House of Representatives has rejected two resolutions aimed at restricting military operations by President Donald Trump’s administration in the Caribbean region, including actions related to Venezuela, according to CNN.
One of the resolutions, introduced by Democrat Gregory Meeks, sought to require the president to withdraw US forces from combat operations against organizations designated by the head of state as terrorist groups in the Western Hemisphere, unless such operations were authorized by Congress or accompanied by a formal declaration of war.
The measure failed to secure enough votes: 216 lawmakers voted against it, while 210 voted in favor. Despite this, the resolution was supported by two Republicans and the majority of Democrats.
The second resolution was submitted by Democrat Jim McGovern. It called for ending the involvement of US armed forces in combat operations in or against Venezuela without explicit approval from Congress.
The House of Representatives also rejected this proposal, with 213 votes against and 211 in favor. Three Republicans broke with their party to support the resolution, while one Democrat voted against it.
Had either resolution passed, it would still have required approval by the US Senate to take effect.
US–Venezuela tensions
On December 16, US President Donald Trump said he had ordered a full blockade of all sanctioned oil tankers heading to or departing from Venezuela. According to him, the measure would remain in place until Venezuela returned to the United States "all the oil, land, and other assets they previously stole from us."
Trump also stated that the government of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro had been designated a "foreign terrorist organization."
