Rare Bipartisan US Senate Move Seeks to Limit Trump War Powers on Venezuela

President Donald Trump has authorized CIA operations inside Venezuela aimed at curbing illegal drug and migrant flows to the U.S., accompanied by deadly strikes on suspected trafficking boats, raising questions about whether these actions are truly about drugs or serve a broader goal of regime change. In response to escalating tensions, a rare bipartisan effort led by Senators Tim Kaine, Adam Schiff, and Rand Paul seeks to require congressional approval before any military action against Venezuela, highlighting concerns over executive overreach. Meanwhile, the awarding of the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize to Venezuelan opposition figure María Corina Machado has sparked controversy, viewed by many in Latin America as a geopolitical maneuver in the U.S.'s ongoing, yet unsuccessful, attempt to overthrow President Nicolás Maduro. These developments reflect complex U.S.-Venezuelan relations under Trump's administration, marked by aggressive foreign interventions and domestic political pushback. The situation underscores the contested nature of U.S. policy in the region, balancing anti-drug efforts, concerns over authoritarianism, and the risks of unilateral military engagements.