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Case study: Trump v Venesuela
December 2025: Donald Trump has suggested a “military option” for Venezuela to dislodge its president, Nicolás Maduro and as of December 2025 he is reported to have discussed the prospect of an invasion behind closed doors. So far the US pursued a “maximum pressure” strategy of sanctions and threats.
But Mr Maduro is still in place. And Mr Trump’s attempts to remove him are ramping up again. The US has amassed its largest military presence in the Caribbean since the 1989 invasion of Panama. It has carried out more than 20 illegal strikes on alleged drug boats. Mr Trump reportedly delivered an ultimatum late last month, telling the Venezuelan leader that he could have safe passage from his country if he left immediately. There was already a $50m bounty on his head. This week came expanded sanctions and the seizure of a tanker.
In November 2025, the U.S. Senate voted against a War Powers Resolution that would have required President Trump to seek congressional authorization for military action against Venezuela. The resolution failed by a narrow margin, largely along party lines.
Details of the Vote
Senate Vote: The resolution was voted down in the Senate with a 49-51 vote.
Party Lines: Most Republicans voted against the measure, granting the President continued leeway in his military campaign in the Caribbean, while most Democrats supported the resolution.
Bipartisan Effort: A small group of bipartisan lawmakers, including Senators Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), and Rand Paul (R-Ky.), introduced the measure, but only two Republicans ultimately voted in favor of it.
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