Progressive lawmaker warns Maduro’s capture could normalise imperial force and shred international law
As Washington reeled from Donald Trump’s dramatic military operation in Venezuela, one Democratic voice cut through the chaos with unusual clarity and urgency. Representative Zohran Mamdani emerged as the sharpest and most uncompromising critic of the raid that led to the arrest of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. For Mamdani, this was not about ideology. It was about power, precedent and peril.
Mamdani Condemns a Dangerous Abuse of Power
Mamdani described the operation as reckless and unlawful. He warned that capturing a sitting foreign president through military force crosses a red line.
He argued that bypassing Congress and international institutions undermines the rule of law. In his view, the raid replaces diplomacy with domination.
“This is not justice,” Mamdani said. “It is a show of force that invites chaos.”
A Progressive Stand Against Imperial Tactics
Mamdani framed the Venezuela operation as part of a long history of US interventions in Latin America. He said such actions have repeatedly produced instability, resentment and violence.
According to Mamdani, Trump’s move risks normalising imperial-style policing of the world. He warned that once force becomes acceptable, no country is safe from unilateral action.
Why Venezuela Matters to Washington
Mamdani questioned the timing and motivation behind the raid. He pointed to Trump’s open references to Venezuela’s oil wealth.
He argued that energy interests, not justice, appear to be driving policy. That, he said, makes the operation even more dangerous.
When resources dictate force, Mamdani warned, international law becomes optional.
Growing Support Inside the Democratic Party
While Mamdani led the charge, his position echoed across the progressive wing. Lawmakers and activists rallied behind his warning.
Even centrist Democrats expressed concern. They questioned jurisdiction, legality and long-term consequences.
Yet Mamdani remained the most direct, refusing to soften his message.
Trump Pushes Back, Mamdani Doubles Down
Trump dismissed critics as weak and unpatriotic. Mamdani responded by intensifying his criticism.
He warned that unchecked executive power threatens democracy at home and abroad. He framed the moment as a test of American values.
“This is how norms collapse,” Mamdani cautioned.
Analysis: A Line Drawn in Washington
Zohran Mamdani’s stance has turned him into a symbol of resistance inside Congress. His challenge is not just to Trump, but to a system that allows force without accountability.
The Venezuela raid may fade. The precedent may not.
Mamdani’s message is stark: power without restraint always comes back home.