Jayapal Statement Condemning Trump’s Illegal Regime Change in Venezuela

SEATTLE, W.A. — U.S. Representative Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), a Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, released the following statement regarding President Donald Trump’s illegal actions in Venezuela to kidnap a foreign leader, force regime change, and plans to indefinitely occupy Venezuela:

“Maduro is an illegitimate dictator. That fact alone does not give Trump and his administration the authority to invade Venezuela, kidnap him in the middle of the night, and force regime change — something the U.S. has tried and failed to do many times over. This was an illegal and unconstitutional attack, undertaken by Trump without any authorization from Congress, and with no plan for the future.  

“If this were truly about stopping drug trafficking, Trump would not have recently pardoned the former Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernandez, who had been sentenced to 45 years in prison for his role in a drug trafficking scheme that smuggled 400 tons of cocaine into the U.S.

“Congress alone has the power to authorize war. Republicans need to step up to do their Constitutional duty and join Democrats in ensuring that Congress reasserts our authority.  The implications otherwise are dire: any rogue leader of any country can decide who they want to take out at any time.  

“The American people have said over and over again that they do not want another war. Trump lied to the American people when he said he would get us out of endless wars and instead would focus on making life affordable for Americans. Nothing could be further from the truth. This is once again about oil, power, and greed — not bettering the lives of Americans or leading the world towards diplomacy and peace.

“Congress must intervene before Trump’s actions further destabilize the region.”