Congresswoman Ramirez Slams Trump’s War Crimes in Venezuela, Demands Congress Act

Washington, DC—Today, Congresswoman Delia C. Ramirez (IL-03) released the following statement:

“Today’s military operation in Venezuela and the kidnapping of Nicolás Maduro are illegal, dangerous violations of international and US law that put us all at risk. The Trump Administration is continuing an agenda of US interventionism in Latin America that has only led to human rights violations, democratic backsliding, economic destabilization, deep poverty, genocide, and mass migration. History has shown us that peace and democracy in Latin America have never been realized through unauthorized United States military intervention. 

Trump and his administration have consolidated power and committed war crimes to seize Venezuelan oil and pursue regime change in line with their imperialistic agenda in the Western Hemisphere. And many Americans woke up to a sick sense of deja vu. Under the guise of liberty, an administration of warmongers has lied to justify an invasion and is dragging us into an illegal, endless war so they can extract resources and expand their wealth. And we know that the violence and destabilization that Trump has started in Venezuela will not end there. How Congress responds matters.

Congress can't keep turning a blind eye. From the start of the Trump Administration, my Republican colleagues have willingly given up the powers and authority of Congress. They voted against asserting our war powers. They have made excuses for their supreme leader’s gross violations of the law and abuses of power. In their cowardice, they have failed to protect our democracy, the rule of law, and the American people. ENOUGH!

Trump and his Administration are out of control because they believe they are untouchable. But they are not. There are mechanisms in place to protect Americans from despots, warmongers, and authoritarians. Congress must use them. We must pass Congresswoman Ilhan Omar’s War Powers Resolution that asserts our authorities, and Trump must be impeached.”