Indian American Reps, Mamdani, Denounce Capture Of Maduro

WASHINGTON, DC – Indian American representatives in the US Congress and New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani have launched a sharp offensive against President Donald Trump’s military operation in Venezuela, labeling the capture of President Nicolás Maduro an unconstitutional “act of war.” 

The six Democratic lawmakers warned that the unilateral move bypassed Congress and risked long-term global instability. Raja Krishnamoorthi, a senior member of the House Intelligence Committee, acknowledged Maduro as an “illegitimate dictator” but insisted that his record did not grant the President a “blank check” to use military force. “By acting without congressional authorization and publicly asserting US control over another sovereign nation, President Trump is abusing presidential power and undermining the Constitution’s separation of powers,” Krishnamoorthi stated.

Suhas Subramanyam, Ranking Member of the Military and Foreign Affairs Oversight Subcommittee, highlighted the irony of the operation, noting it contradicted Trump’s “Peace President” campaign rhetoric. He warned the capture would not stem the flow of drugs but would instead invite “another forever war started under false pretenses.”

Progressive voices echoed these concerns, framing the operation as a dangerous precedent. Ro Khanna argued that Trump “betrayed his MAGA base” by launching a war of choice, questioning how the U.S. would respond if nations like China or Russia attempted similar captures of leaders in Taiwan or Ukraine. 

Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal added that the intervention was “all about oil, greed, and power,” while Ami Bera and Shri Thanedar emphasized that only Congress holds the power to declare war.

In New York City, where Maduro and his wife were transported to face criminal charges, Mayor Zohran Mamdani condemned the action as a violation of both federal and international law.”Unilaterally attacking a sovereign nation is an act of war,” Mamdani said in a statement. He emphasized that the pursuit of regime change directly impacts the tens of thousands of Venezuelans living in New York City, stating his administration’s priority is their safety.

While lawmakers debate the legality of the strike, U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi unsealed a sweeping indictment in the Southern District of New York. Prosecutors allege Maduro sat atop a “corrupt, illegitimate government” that moved massive quantities of cocaine into the U.S. for over two decades.

The court filings detail a network involving diplomatic passports used to shield traffickers and the use of machine guns to protect shipments. If convicted, Maduro and his co-defendants, including his son, Nicolás Ernesto Maduro Guerra,face potential life sentences.  (IANS)