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The U.S. senator Bernie Sanders questioned on Saturday the constitutional legality of the military operation ordered by President Donald Trump in Venezuela, which ended with the capture of Nicolás Maduro.
The legislator from Vermont, a prominent figure in the progressive wing of the Democratic Party, accused the Republican president of acting beyond the boundaries of presidential power.
President Trump does not have the constitutional authority to attack another country, Sanders wrote on his official X account (formerly Twitter).
"When 60% of Americans live paycheck to paycheck, they should focus on internal crises, put an end to their illegal military adventurism, and stop trying to 'govern' Venezuela for the large oil companies," he added.
Sanders joined the critical voices within the United States that have condemned the military intervention in Venezuelan territory, labeling it an "unauthorized act of war."
The mayor of New York, Zohran Mamdani also rejected the intervention and stated that he personally spoke with Trump to express his disagreement.
He emphasized that the U.S. Constitution grants Congress —and not the president— the authority to declare war or authorize offensive military operations abroad.
"Trump has crossed a dangerous line. He cannot act as if he has a free pass to start wars without being accountable to the American people," he stated in comments to local media.
The senator also questioned the motives behind the intervention, suggesting that the offensive is driven more by economic interests than by democratic goals.
"Trump is trying to 'steer' Venezuela for the big oil companies. It's a pattern we've seen before in the history of the United States," he stated.
His statements came after the White House confirmed the capture of Maduro and Cilia Flores during a military operation in Caracas, coordinated by Southern Command and U.S. special forces.
Trump stated that the mission "did not incur American casualties" and that it was an "act of international justice."
In Congress, several Democratic and Republican lawmakers have asked the Executive for clarification on whether there was prior authorization for the use of military force.
The leader of the Democratic minority in the Senate, Chuck Schumer, warned that "no president can start a war without the consent of Congress."
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