"The United States is not at war in Venezuela, the Republican speaker of the House Mike Johnson said on Monday, despite the weekend raid Donald Trump ordered to capture president Nicolas Maduro and announcement that the US would now run the country. The surprise incursion came after months of mounting US pressure on Venezuela, which has included a blockade of some oil shipments and airstrikes on vessels off its shores that have killed at least 110 people."
"We are not at war. We do not have US armed forces in Venezuela, and we are not occupying that country, Johnson said, noting that he disagreed with Democrats' criticisms that Trump broke the law by not telling Congress in advance of the attack. This is not a regime change. This is a demand for change of behavior by a regime. The interim government is stood up now, and we are hopeful that they will be able to correct their action, the speaker said."
A weekend raid ordered by Donald Trump aimed to capture president Nicolas Maduro and announced US control through a newly sworn interim leader, Delcy Rodriguez. The incursion followed months of escalating US pressure, including an oil shipment blockade and airstrikes on vessels that have killed at least 110 people. The administration says the interim leader will cooperate with demands for US oil majors to manage Venezuela's crude reserves. Democrats criticized the action for bypassing Congress. Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson denied US military occupation and framed the action as a demand for changed behavior rather than regime change. The administration alleges narcotrafficking and foreign footholds in Venezuela, claims disputed by experts.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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