BREAKING: Senator Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) has just declined to label the recent U.S. military strikes in Venezuela as ‘illegal,’ diverging from fellow Democratic leaders. This development follows President Donald Trump‘s announcement of a significant military operation that captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife over the weekend.
During an appearance on CNN’s ‘The Lead with Jake Tapper’ on October 3, 2023, Kelly faced intense questioning about the legality of the strikes. He emphasized the complexities surrounding military orders, stating, “What we were talking about in the video is about a service member being given a specific order and having to make a decision about whether this is lawful or not.”
The military operation has sparked controversy, with several progressive Democrats condemning it as illegal and potentially an impeachable offense. However, Kelly stopped short of joining this assessment, highlighting the nuanced legal questions surrounding the use of military force for law enforcement actions against a head of state.
He remarked, “Maduro is a bad guy, and it’s good that he’s gone,” but criticized the lack of a clear post-Maduro plan, stating that the administration has effectively replaced Maduro with his deputy, Delcy Rodriguez. “That’s what we call in the Navy, fleeting up when the executive officer becomes the commanding officer,” Kelly explained.
Earlier this week, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth announced that Kelly would receive a formal censure letter due to his participation in a viral video advising service members to refuse illegal orders. Hegseth stated, “Six weeks ago, Senator Mark Kelly — and five other members of Congress — released a reckless and seditious video that was clearly intended to undermine good order and military discipline.”
Kelly’s remarks come amid mounting pressure on the Biden administration regarding its handling of the Venezuela crisis. The U.S. military operation has led to airspace closures and flight cancellations, affecting thousands of travelers.
This situation is evolving rapidly, and the implications of Kelly’s statements and the military operation are still unfolding. What remains to be seen is how this will affect U.S. relations with Venezuela and the broader geopolitical landscape in Latin America.
As developments continue, the political ramifications of this military action are likely to resonate across party lines, igniting debates on military intervention and executive power. Stay tuned for further updates on this urgent situation.
