Velázquez on US Military Escalation Toward Venezuela

WASHINGTON — Today, Congresswoman Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) released the following statement on the announcement of Operation Southern Spear and the rapid U.S. military escalation toward Venezuela:

“In recent weeks, the Pentagon has carried out at least 20 illegal strikes on boats in the Caribbean, resulting in the extrajudicial killings of 76 people. In all that time, they have not provided a shred of evidence to Congress or the American people about who was killed or how these decisions were made.

“At the same time, the administration has undertaken a military buildup not seen in the region since the 1989 invasion of Panama. Fifteen thousand U.S. military personnel are now present in the area, along with the world’s largest warship, the USS Gerald R. Ford. In response, Venezuela has ordered its own mass mobilization, ratcheting up tensions and raising the specter of war between our countries. It is unacceptable that Puerto Rico is once again being used as a forward base for military escalation. The people of the island should not bear the risks of another unnecessary and unlawful conflict.

“Yesterday’s announcement of Operation Southern Spear seeks to justify these blatantly illegal strikes and formalize this escalatory campaign. 

“As the President considers military options against Venezuela, including strikes inside the country, it is clear he is marching us toward another illegal and potentially disastrous foreign intervention, the exact type of conflict he campaigned on avoiding. I opposed the Iraq War because the Bush administration misled the American people to justify an invasion, and I am seeing disturbing parallels now.

“If the White House keeps moving toward strikes inside Venezuela or a broader military campaign, I will back every tool we have, including a War Powers Resolution, to prevent an illegal and catastrophic war. Congress must act now to stop this reckless escalation before it turns into a regional crisis that takes countless lives. I call on my colleagues to join me.”

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