""This is the first public hearing we've had. Two hundred folks who were on secret designated combatant lists have been killed, U.S. troops have been injured, hundreds of millions of dollars have been spent, an armada amassed, and the announcement of a new Monroe doctrine which does not land well in the Americas," said Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Virginia), noting operations began nearly five months ago. "Democrats have asked over and over again, can we have a public hearing?""
"After months of U.S. military belligerence in international waters without congressional oversight, Rubio claimed the U.S. is not at war with Venezuela but is at war with drug smugglers, which he called "enemy combatants" with advanced weapons. However, Rubio distanced himself from dozens of airstrikes on small boats that have killed at least 126 people since September, deferring questions to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, despite Rubio's double role as Trump's national security advisor. Rubio's prepared remarks did not mention the boat strikes."
Secretary Marco Rubio defended President Trump's rapid escalation of operations against drug smuggling in the Caribbean and Latin America before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Rubio portrayed U.S. actions as a war against drug smugglers, calling them "enemy combatants" equipped with advanced weapons, and insisted the U.S. is not at war with Venezuela. He distanced himself from dozens of airstrikes on small boats that have killed at least 126 people since September and deferred detailed questions to the Defense Secretary. Democrats pressed for public hearings and congressional oversight after U.S. forces invaded Venezuela and abducted President Nicolás Maduro.
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