EL PASO, Texas (KFOX14\/CBS4) \u2014 Borderland leaders reacted to the capture of the Venezuelan president, Nicolas Maduro, in Caracas, Venezuela, on Saturday. <\/p>\n
Congresswoman Veronica Escobar:<\/p>\n
“Donald Trump just told the world that the U.S. is going to ‘run’ Venezuela ‘for now.’<\/p>\n
“Are Republicans who have given the Trump administration their full throated support for the illegal bombing of Venezuela and the use of our military to kidnap Maduro and his wife okay with this, too?<\/p>\n
“Maduro is a criminal and an oppressive tyrant. But that is not what this is about.<\/p>\n
“Attempts at regime change have historically come at incredible costs to our country, our people, and our reputation abroad. This is one of the reasons why Congress should have been involved.<\/p>\n
“The drug trafficking accusation is a ruse. Donald Trump and JD Vance\u2019s own statements acknowledge the real reason behind this illegal attack: their gluttonous pursuit of oil.<\/p>\n
“We should not be running Venezuela – especially at a time when the American people are suffering under Trump\u2019s disastrous economic policies. Congressional Republicans must join us to reassert our authority and hold this administration accountable. The question is – will a handful of Republicans join Democrats to ensure that happens?”<\/p>\n
Congressman Gabe Vasquez:<\/p>\n
\u201cMillions of Americans voted in the last Presidential election to end frivolous conflicts and unnecessary foreign wars. This escalation of hostilities against Venezuela and the capture of a foreign leader without Congressional authorization goes against the will of the Americans who put the president in power.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNew Mexicans don\u2019t want America to get involved in another drawn-out, expensive conflict overseas. There has been no transparency, and no assurance that taxpayer dollars and military resources used in this hostile action will make Americans safer. What New Mexicans want are real economic solutions that improve their daily lives.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cCongress did not authorize a new war or regime change in Venezuela. The President must comply with the Constitution, end this act of war, and communicate with the public immediately.\u201d<\/p>\n
Senator MartinHeinrich:<\/p>\n
\u201cLet\u2019s be clear, President Trump has acted without any legal authorization from Congress. His \u201ccapture\u201d of Maduro \u2014 no matter how terrible a leader Maduro is – breaks our nation\u2019s laws, tarnishes our global leadership, puts Americans in Venezuela and our Armed Forces at risk, and sets an extremely dangerous precedent.<\/p>\n
\u201cAmericans want lower costs, transparency, and justice \u2014 not endless armed conflicts and regime change wars.<\/p>\n
\u201cPresident Trump\u2019s actions do not have the consent of the American people and should be condemned by Congress.\u201d<\/p>\n
Senator Ted Cruz:Governor Greg Abbott:Senator John Cornyn:<\/p>\n
\u201cKudos to President Trump. Maduro was not only an illegitimate President of Venezuela, he was the head of the Cartel de los Soles, a major drug trafficking network involving high-ranking Venezuelan military officers and government officials. He has been indicted in the Southern District of New York for narco-terrorism conspiracy and other crimes. His association with the Iranian regime and its proxy, Hezbollah, helped fund terrorism in South America and the Middle East, and he was complicit with the \u2018ghost fleets\u2019 of Russia, Iran, and China, used to evade US sanctions and fund the Russian war on Ukraine.\u201d<\/p>\n
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