TL/DR –
US military action in Venezuela led to protests in Connecticut, organized by the Connecticut Citizen Action Group and the ANSWER Coalition, which criticize the operation and broader US foreign policy. The US forces had carried out strikes in Venezuela and arrested its president, Nicolás Maduro, without prior congressional authorization. Connecticut officials issued different assessments of the operation’s legality and wisdom, with Republican Party Chair Ben Proto praising the arrest of Maduro, and Democratic representatives like Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff and US Sen. Richard Blumenthal raising constitutional concerns and calling for congressional oversight.
Connecticut Reacts to US Military Strikes in Venezuela
Early Saturday, US military action in Venezuela triggered a swift response from Connecticut officials. Renewed concerns about Congress’s role in authorizing military force were raised as opinions varied about the legality and judgement of the operation.
President Donald Trump announced that US forces had conducted strikes in Venezuela resulting in the arrest of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. The operation was framed as a law-enforcement action related to narcotics trafficking, with Trump stating it didn’t require advance congressional authorization. The announcement ignited immediate public response in Connecticut.
Protests against the military operation were initiated early Saturday, organized by the Connecticut Citizen Action Group. The protests were coordinated with the ANSWER Coalition, a national anti-war organization and took place in Hartford, New Haven and New London.
At the Hartford protest, speakers criticized the US actions in Venezuela and broader US foreign policy. A member of the Connecticut Palestine Solidarity Coalition compared US aggression against Venezuela to Israel’s occupation of Palestine. Another speaker, a member of the Connecticut Democratic Socialists of America, criticized the use of taxpayer dollars for overseas military operations.
Several speakers urged participants to contact Connecticut’s congressional delegation in support of War Powers resolutions aimed at limiting a president’s authority to engage in military action without congressional approval.
In the political realm, Connecticut Republican Party Chair Ben Proto lauded the arrest of Maduro, arguing the action was necessary to combat international drug trafficking. He criticized Democratic leaders for opposing the operation, citing overdose deaths in Connecticut and nationally.
Democratic officials expressed concerns about both the process and the lack of congressional involvement. Connecticut Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff
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