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THE United States Senate voted 52 to 47 on Thursday to advance a resolution that would prevent President Donald Trump from undertaking any further military action in Venezuela without explicit congressional authorisation.
Reuters reported today that the procedural move, supported by all Senate Democrats and a small number of Republicans, paves the way for a final vote on the measure.
Trump, however, suggested in an interview with the New York Times that US oversight of Venezuela could endure for years.
Asked whether such supervision would last three months, six months, a year, or longer, he replied: “I would say much longer. We will rebuild it in a very profitable way.”
The president also appeared to ease tensions with Colombia, a neighbouring country previously under threat of military action from Washington. He invited Colombian President Gustavo Petro, whom he had once labelled a “sick man,” to visit the White House.
“It was a great honour to speak with the President of Colombia, Gustavo Petro, who called to explain the situation of drugs and other disagreements that we have had. I appreciated his call and tone, and look forward to meeting him in the near future,” Trump posted on social media.
Trump further noted that US officials are “getting along very well” with the government of interim Venezuelan President Delcy Rodriguez, a former vice president loyal to ousted leader Nicolas Maduro.
In a separate development, Venezuela’s top lawmaker, Jorge Rodriguez, announced the release of a substantial number of political prisoners, including both Venezuelan nationals and foreigners.
The move, described as a unilateral gesture of peace, fulfils repeated demands from the opposition. Local rights group Foro Penal estimates 863 individuals remain detained for political reasons, ranging from opposition figures and human rights activists to journalists and protesters arrested following the contested 2024 election.
The Senate resolution faces a difficult path to becoming law. It must pass the House of Representatives, which is also Republican-controlled, and secure a two-thirds majority in both chambers to override a likely presidential veto.
Trump criticised the measure, stating on social media: “Republicans should be ashamed of the Senators that just voted with Democrats in attempting to take away our Powers to fight and defend the United States of America.”
The New York Times reported that a phone call between Trump and Petro was cordial, marking the first direct conversation between the two leaders.
On Tuesday, Trump unveiled plans to refine and sell up to 50 million barrels of Venezuelan oil previously blocked under US sanctions.
Venezuela, possessing the world’s largest proven oil reserves, has experienced severe economic decline over recent decades, leading to the flight of eight million citizens abroad.
Trump is scheduled to meet with executives from Exxon Mobil, ConocoPhillips, and Chevron at the White House on Friday to discuss strategies for increasing Venezuelan oil production, according to sources familiar with planning.
The US intervention in Venezuela has drawn widespread scrutiny as Congress asserts its war powers, while the administration balances the complexities of political, economic, and humanitarian challenges in the country. - January 9, 2025