US Senate votes against limiting Trump's ability to attack Venezuela

"Republicans in the United States Senate have voted down legislation that would have required US President Donald Trump to obtain congressional approval for any military attacks on Venezuela. Two Republicans had crossed the political aisle and joined Democrats to vote in favour of the legislation on Thursday, but their support was not enough to secure passage, and the bill failed to pass by 51 to 49 votes."

"The vote comes amid a US military build-up off South America and a series of military strikes targeting vessels in international waters off Venezuela and Colombia that have killed at least 65 people. The US has alleged, without presenting evidence, that the boats it bombed were transporting drugs, but Latin American leaders, some members of Congress, international law experts and family members of the deceased have described the US attacks as extrajudicial killings, claiming most of those killed were fishermen."

"Fears are now growing that Trump will use the military deployment in the region which includes thousands of US troops, a nuclear submarine and a group of warships accompanying the USS Gerald R Ford, the US Navy's most sophisticated aircraft carrier to launch an attack on Venezuela in a bid to oust President Nicolas Maduro. Washington has accused Maduro of drug trafficking, and Trump has hinted at carrying out attacks on Venezuelan soil."

Large majorities in the United States oppose military action against Venezuela. The US Senate Republicans voted down legislation that would have required President Trump to obtain congressional approval for military attacks on Venezuela; the bill failed 51-49 despite two Republicans joining Democrats. The vote occurred amid a US military buildup off South America and strikes on vessels near Venezuela and Colombia that killed at least 65 people. The US alleged the vessels carried drugs without presenting evidence; critics described the attacks as extrajudicial killings and said many victims were fishermen. Concerns are rising that the deployment could precede attempts at regime change against President Nicolás Maduro.

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