Chuck Schumer says Trump’s 'reckless actions' toward Venezuela push US toward another war

WASHINGTON, DC: Minority Leader Chuck Schumer has made it clear that he is far from satisfied with the way President Donald Trump and his administration are dealing with the crisis in Venezuela.

According to Schumer, the administration’s “reckless” moves will push the country “closer” to another costly foreign conflict. He warned that this is not how foreign policy is supposed to be shaped. 

He reminded citizens that war is never meant to be the 'country’s first option.' Instead, he urged 'Republicans and Democrats in Congress' to come together in this crisis.  

Chuck Schumer says Donald Trump’s Venezuela strategy oversteps constitutional boundaries

On Sunday, November 30, Chuck Schumer warned Donald Trump on X (formerly Twitter). He said, "President Trump’s reckless actions towards Venezuela are pushing America closer and closer to another costly foreign war."

He warned that the approach raises constitutional concerns, stating, "Under our Constitution, Congress has the sole power to declare war - not the President and Congress has not authorized the use of military force against Venezuela." 

He added that public frustration with long, expensive conflicts continues to grow, saying, "Americans are tired of endless foreign wars that cost the lives of countless American servicemembers and drain precious resources. This is not an America First policy." 

"We need Republicans and Democrats in Congress to come together to return the power to declare war back to the people," he concluded.

Despite Donald Trump’s assurances, military presence expands around Venezuela 

In September, Trump had warned that land-based strikes could follow after his administration began targeting smuggling vessels off the Caribbean coast of Venezuela.

Recently, Trump had publicly dismissed the possibility of the US military entering a war with Venezuela.  When he was asked on CBS’s '60 Minutes' whether the US was preparing for war against Venezuela, the president replied, "I doubt it. I don't think so. But they've been treating us very badly."

The US military gradually increased its presence in the Caribbean Sea. Warships, fighter jets, bombers, marines, drones, and surveillance aircraft were all deployed. Over time, this grew into the largest US military buildup in the region in decades. 

Trump's forces continued launching strikes despite his denial to the media. According to the administration, these operations were meant to slow the flow of narcotics into the United States.

The president rejected claims that the mission was aimed at removing Nicolás Maduro, a long-time opponent, insisting that it was about "many things."